LeBron: I Won't Rule Out a Return (to Cleveland)

The Miami Heat is preparing to take on the Cavs in Cleveland Friday night.

If you hear a low growl rumbling through Cleveland today, it could be because LeBron James is in town. The Miami Heat take on the Cavs at The Q tonight at 7:30 p.m. But that's not all. In a recent interview with ESPN, James was quoted saying "I had a lot of fun times (in Cleveland). ... I'm here as a Miami player and I'm happy where I am now but I don't rule (a return) out in any sense. If I decide to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me." He added, "I think it would be great, it would be fun to play in front of these fans again." Would you accept LeBron back into your heart again? Tell us in the comments.

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ESPN: Solon Pitcher Matt Smoral 'One of Nation's Best'

Solon High Pitcher Matt Smoral tells ESPN he has a difficult decision to make in choosing between college and the pros.

Solon High Pitcher Matt Smoral was featured in a recent ESPN.com article that calls him one of the nation's top pitching prospects. Smoral, a 6-foot, 8-inch left hander, has signed to play at the University of North Carolina next year, but the pros could come calling. Check out the full article over at ESPN, but here are some tidbits: And when spring actually hits Ohio, many eyes and radar guns will be fixed on that pitcher — Solon (Ohio) senior left-hander Matt Smoral. One of the nation’s top prep pitchers, the 6-foot-8, 225-pounder has been working tirelessly this winter, planting the seeds for a successful spring and most likely a successful June as well. ... But at some point this summer, Smoral knows he’ll need to decide between …

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Comet Corner

Center of Attention: Solon's Austin Stock Anchors Comets O-Line

Solon's Austin Stock worked out with Pro Bowler and former Brown LeCharles Bentley to prepare for his senior season

Editor's Note: Every Wednesday during football season, stop by Solon Patch to read our newest entry in "Comet Corner: Football Edition." The weekly column by Barry Goodrich will focus on the players and their accomplishments as the Comets season rolls on. Have ideas for the column? E-mail Editor Chris Mazzolini at chrism@patch.com. At 6-3 and 270 pounds, it's easy to notice Solon senior center Austin Stock. In fact, Stock is getting noticed by such teams as Michigan, Michgan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, North Carolina State, Harvard, Air Force, Cincinnati and Purdue. "My top three right now are Michigan State, Penn State and North Carolina State," said Stock. "After that it would be teams in the Ivy League or …

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Comet Corner

ESPN, Internet Has Changed College Recruiting

With four athletes heading off on Division 1 athletic scholarships next year, Solon Football Coach Jim McQuaide said recruiting ain't what it used to be

Once upon a time, back in the prehistoric days before ESPN, college football coaches got in their cars and drove across the state and across the country looking for the top high school talent. The best recruiters were people like Woody Hayes, who would sit down at a dinner table and tell parents their son would be treated like family at Ohio State. Or people like Bear Bryant, whose mere presence in a home overwhelmed both players and families. Recruiting has come a long way. Wednesday’s National Signing Day (not a holiday…yet) got 12 hours of coverage on ESPNU. It has become nearly as big as the NFL Draft, with high school seniors finally revealing where they will take their talents. Solon has one of the best big school programs in the …

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