Category: College

Vikings Sophomores Start 2017 Strong

a solid start by two sophomores in the paint from game one.

CLEVELAND, OH (TM216) — While the ladies of the Wolstein Center are in a countdown for tipoff on Thursday, those of us watching from the outside can enjoy analyzing a solid start by two sophomores in the paint from game one.

Cleveland State (0-1) enters this season with an abundance of experienced youth. Sophomore ASHANTI ABSHAW led all scorers with 22 points to start the season, now with 60 total starts in her young career. We will talk more about Ashanti soon, but for the purpose of this article we spotlight Vikings’ “artists in the paint” finishing with a most balanced stat line.

Sophomores JADE ELY and MARIAH MILLER each adding thirteen points for the vikings, a career high for Miller. Add in eight points for Miller, and the Milwaukee native was just two rebounds from a double-double.

“i think currently Mariah Miller is probably playing the most consistently,” says coach Kate Peterson Abiad (15th season), “she always gets on the boards and she makes her shots around the bucket.”

That consistency can be added to efficiency, those 13 points coming on only nine attempts.

“She doesn’t really try to create many things, she takes them in the offensive flow and she’s been very successful doing that…she plays system basketball”

Along with Miller, Jade Ely also supplementing her scoring ability by creating shots for those around her. Leading the team win assists (4) and tied for a team high with steals (3), the Sophomore able to make the most out of her first start on the season.

“We crashed the boards and attacked the paint really well tonight,” says Ely, “just taking everybody off the dribble really creates an open shot for our other teammates.”

For Ely and Miller it is the second go around after contributing in year one. Add that to the already experienced contributions of seniors OLIVIA VOSKUHL’s seven rebounds and three steals, as well as eight rebounds for SHADAE BOSLEY, and the Vikings sophomore duo can truly become an X-Factor for this Vikings all around team play.

“Our sophomores are a big part of what our future is… they’re going to bring a lot to our team.” Coach Peterson Abiad.

SO CLEVELAND! We are the newest spot for Cleveland sports and entertainment! It would help us immensely if you enjoyed out content to give us a like on your social media platform of choice. Or if you prefer, we can send you our top stories once per week to your e-mail! Click these blue words to add yourself to our mailing list. That’s My 216 is all the positive news of Cleveland, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

# # # #

Lets connect on SOCIAL MEDIA:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThatsMy216

YOUTUBE: https://www.YouTube.com/ThatsMy216

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/ThatsMy216

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ThatsMy216

SNAPCHAT: ThatsMy216

Cleveland State Women’s Basketball Announces New Assistant Coach

CLEVELAND, OH (TM216) –  Cleveland State University women’s basketball team has hired long-time coaching veteran, Kevin McManaman, to their 2016-2017 coaching staff. McManaman, who has 23 years of collegiate coaching experience, hopes to bring some leadership to a very young team with only two listed seniors on the roster in Chrishna Butler and Alexis Eckles.

imageHead coach Kate Peterson Abiad told Cleveland State basketball reporters that McManaman will provide veteran leadership, as well as hope the program grow.

“We are very fortunate to bring Kevin to Cleveland State,” said Peterson Abiad. “Kevin is a person of high integrity and cares very much about the experience and growth of this program.”

Since McManaman was brought on to the coaching staff, Cleveland State is 4-4, scoring an average of 64.4 points per game. The players seem to be adjusting to newly hired coach well over the last 8 games. With a fairly young team, it’s important that they rebound from a dismal 9-20 regular season record.

To illustrate some of McManaman’s long resume, his most recent stint is with the University of Northern Illinois, where he spent three seasons there as an assistant coach. Before his time with Northern Illinois, he allocated nine years of coaching experience with the UIC Flames in the Horizon league, ascending the Flames to the top of the league. Under him, 13 players earned All-League honors at UIC.

Photo Courtesy of: NIU Today     

Luke’s Logic: Ohio State Makes The College Football Playoffs.

My thoughts on Ohio State being selected for the College Football Playoff 

by: Luke Wickiser

COLUMBUS, OH (TM216) —  There was a lot of controversy surrounding the College Football Playoff Committee’s final decision today! Top-ranked Alabama (SEC Champion) was followed by Clemson (ACC Champion), Ohio State (At-Large) and Washington (Pac-12 Champion). Big Ten Champion Penn State finished the regular season ranked #5, with Michigan rounding things out at #6.

While I can only speak for myself, fans seem to be on one side of the controversy or the other surrounding the Buckeyes making it into the College Football Playoff. Most believe one of two things: You either believe that since Penn State won the Big Ten Championship and beat Ohio State head to head, they should be in. Or if you’re like me, you believe that the committee made the right decision by including Ohio State in the four-team field.

While strong Playoff arguments can each be made for Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State, since this is a Cleveland and Ohio sports site, I’ll highlight why Ohio State made it in over the Nittany Lions based on three things: quality wins, “good” losses and talent level. I’ll also add in other things that I believe could’ve been factors in Ohio State’s selection. Enjoy!

  1. Quality Wins: While Penn State did beat Ohio State head to head, the Nittany Lions only had a 2-1 record against teams ranked in the Top 10. (Wins: Ohio State, Wisconsin; Losses: Michigan). Ohio State, meanwhile had a 3-1 regular season record against teams ranked in the Top 10 with a blowout win at Oklahoma, and a pair of close wins over Wisconsin on the road and Michigan at home. Both were overtime thrillers! What many people arguing for Penn State don’t realize is this: No one other than Ohio State has three wins over the current Top 10. Not even mighty Alabama can claim this.
  2. Good Losses: While no team ever thinks of losing as a good thing, the Playoff committee does weigh how good or bad a loss looks on a playoff contender’s resume. They also take into consideration the number of losses a team has as well. This also seems to favor Ohio State, since the Buckeyes finished the season at 11-1 and Penn State ended their campaign at 11-2. When we look at the losses each team has, the obvious edge goes to Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ lone loss of the year came at Penn State on a blocked field goal that was ran back for a touchdown. Penn State’s two losses? A close, 42-39 loss at Pittsburgh (the Panthers ended up 8-4), and a blowout loss at #6 Michigan (49-10). The committee’s goal is to choose the four best teams to compete for the championship. “Best teams” either stay undefeated, or don’t have black eyes on their resume. The ugly showing at Michigan cost Penn State dearly here.
  3. Talent Level: I think the committee got it right here. Pairing Alabama with Washington and Ohio State with Clemson rather than putting Penn State up against Alabama or any of the other three creates the possibility for exciting and entertaining playoff games. I do not believe this would be the case had the Nittany Lions been included in the playoff as a four seed. If Penn State was blown out at home by a good Michigan team, imagine what Alabama would’ve done to them in the Playoff. I believe Ohio State has the talent to hang with Clemson, Alabama and Washington for all four quarters.
  4. Other Factors: While the committee should select the four best teams to play based on what they’ve done on the field, some off the field circumstances could have possibly influenced their choice to put Ohio State in the playoff. Two things come to my mind here: Money and Ratings. Anyone who follows college football knows Ohio State fans travel extremely well. That is, they pay a lot of money for tickets to big games, such as the upcoming Fiesta Bowl against Clemson. Buckeye fans have always made the NCAA a boatload of money. Ratings also could’ve influenced their final four decision. Simply put, there are many fans who want to see either a possible rematch of last year’s National Championship (Alabama vs. Clemson) or the 2015 Sugar Bowl (Alabama vs. Ohio State). The committee’s decision to put Ohio State in the four-team playoff allows for these two possibilities.

All in all, I believe the committee got things right!

For up date date info on all sports in Cleveland follow here!:

11061194_10204656409673013_3068731148951042139_n

Vikings Championship Season Ends In NCAA First Round Friday

EAST LANSING, MI (TM216) — All good things must come to an end, such is the case with a memorable Cleveland State Volleyball season as they fall in the opening round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

For the second straight year, Cleveland State makes an appearance in the NCAA tournament. However, in the Vikings first ever matchup against the Arizona Wildcats, it was a struggle to string together enough momentum to take a set. After falling 25-14 in the opening set, Cleveland  State only able to close the game slightly (25-17, 25-13) in the second before being swept 3-0.

Coach Voss’s Vikings entered the NCAAs riding high after a championship winning run in the Horizon League, both hosting and winning the conference championship.

As volleyball struck hard wood for the final time on the Vikings season, also the final set for several decorated members of the Vikings roster.

Etching her name among the elite in Cleveland State volleyball, Grace Kauth ends her career ranking  third all-time in career kills (1,457), fourth in career digs (1,240), and top ten in five additional categories. In her final game, Grace would lead all Vikings with eight kills.

Also wrapping up their collegiate careers are Aaliya Slappy and Sydney Mast. Both decorated members of the Vikings roster in their own right.

Despite the early tournament exit, 2016 will remain a season to remember. The Vikings finish the regular season with a Horizon League leading 14 conference wins, and the 25 overall victories  mark the second highest win total with Coach Voss.

Cleveland State finishes the season (25-6), Arizona advances to play (9) Michigan State on Saturday.

Keep up to date on all your favorite Cleveland topics on social media simply by clicking below!



####


oggxlk1y5lgz5qxnzvoy