St. Edward baseball players Alex Lavisky, Ross Kivett make college choices: high school newswatch

Plain Dealer staff reports, September 17, 2009 8:07 a.m.

Lavisky - (Plain Dealer file)

Two-time Plain Dealer All-Star catcher Alex Lavisky committed to Georgia Tech and second baseman Ross Kivett is headed to Kansas State.

In April, Plain Dealer All-Star shortstop Stetson Allie made an early commitment to North Carolina.

Lavisky, who gave up his starting quarterback job this summer to focus on baseball, committed before making his official visit last week.

"They gave me the most [scholarship], I'll get a great education and they want me to come in and play right away ... and hopefully get them a College World Series win," Lavisky said.

Lavisky, a likely Major League Baseball draft choice next spring, may have to choose between the pros and college ball.

"Right now there's a lot of interest. I had a really good summer and did well in the big showcases," Lavisky said. "If the option is there I'd love to take it."

Lavisky led St. Edward last season in hits (38), doubles (13), RBI (27) and average (.481). He ranked second with six home runs, and he threw out 11 baserunners and stole five bases in five attempts.

Kivett, the Eagles' leadoff hitter, visited Kansas State earlier this month and committed last week.

"You can't beat the Big 12, playing against Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State," said Kivett, who plans to study business administration. "It's like the ACC of college basketball."

Kivett batted .417 last spring with 35 hits, 18 RBI, 27 runs, seven doubles and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts.

Kivett chose Kansas State over Kent State and Penn State. A Plain Dealer hockey All-Star as a wing, Kivett said he plans to play hockey for the Eagles this winter.

Basketball clinic set: The annual Nike Championship Basketball Clinic will be held Oct. 9-11 at the Holiday Inn in Independence and Cuyahoga Heights High and will feature several prominent coaches.

The speakers include former Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello, Cleveland State coach Gary Waters, Akron coach Keith Dambrot, Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon and Stanford women's coach Tara VanDerveer.

Former John Carroll coach Ed Janka is the clinic director. Advance registration is $115 per coach. At the door, it will be $140. Register online at basketballcoach.com or send check to Championship Basketball Clinic, 5645 Woodsmore Dr., Solon, Ohio, 44139.