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In brief
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 31, 2003
CLEVELAND -- A few days after LeBron James was cleared of wrongdoing for accepting a sports utility vehicle as a gift, Ohio high school officials are reviewing a report he received free clothing.
Saturday, James, the nation's top high school basketball player, was given two throwback jerseys worth $845, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Clair Muscaro is aware of the report "and is reviewing it," the OHSAA said.
Monday, Muscaro ruled James, a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary, would not lose his eligibility for accepting a custom-made Hummer H2 vehicle.
After attending a high school game, James and some friends visited a clothing store, where he picked out two jerseys, one of Bears Hall-of-Famer Gale Sayers, the other of Bullets center Wes Unseld, the report said.
Store manager Derrick Craig said the store's owner gave the jerseys to James for free.
"I'll let my family handle that," James said. "I'm just doing my thing on the court."
Yevgeny Kafelnikov beat Kristian Pless 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Milan Indoors quarterfinals in Italy. Kafelnikov, who had calf surgery in December, next plays Jonas Bjorkman, who beat Andrea Gaudenzi 6-2, 6-1.
POSITIVE TEST: Bohdan Ulihrach tested positive for nandrolone in October. Ulihrach, who said he does not know how the substance got into his body, won't be punished unless a second test also is positive.
The Devil Rays have expressed interest in signing Travis Lee, let go by the Phillies after hitting .265 with 13 homers and 70 RBIs last season. The left-handed hitter is a strong defensive first baseman and also can play the outfield.
D'BACKS: Reliever Ricky Bottalico, an All-Star in 1996, signed a minor-league deal.
PHILLIES: Infielder Placido Polanco agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.875-million.
BRAWL: Boston first baseman David Ortiz, San Francisco shortstop Neifi Perez and Cincinnati outfielder Jose Guillen were subpoenaed to testify about a brawl that left a fan injured in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Danci Aramboles jumped onto the field after a game Jan. 26. Television footage showed Escogido Lions catcher Jorge Meran punching and kicking Aramboles. Police said another man, not yet identified, slugged Aramboles over the head with a bat. Aramboles is in critical condition with a fractured skull and internal bleeding. Aramboles filed a lawsuit Wednesday.
South Carolina reported three rules violations to the SEC. All were found secondary in nature with no penalty coming from the league or NCAA. A baseball recruit was called twice in the same week. A preapproved dinner for the baseball team was moved to a local country club. The last regarded improper information in a summer football camp brochure.
FSU: Prosecutors in Tallahassee filed a felony charge against defensive tackle Darnell Dockett for grand theft. Police say he received $1,000 worth of sports apparel for about $100. Arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 20.
MINNESOTA: Men's gymnastics and men's and women's golf will not be cut after $2.8-million was raised by boosters.
BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko will defend his WBO heavyweight title March 8 against Corrie Sanders in Hanover, Germany.
HORSES: Jorge Chavez, who rode Monarchos to victory in the 2001 Kentucky Derby, escaped serious injury when he was thrown at Gulfstream Park. If He Hollers was euthanized after stumbling at the start.