Leading off today: This particular news item doesn't pertain directly to high school sports, but I assume you'll understand why I chose to mention it in today's roundup.

   An Ontario County man accused of injuring an 11-year-old player in a July youth soccer game was acquitted yesterday in Brighton Town Court, near Rochester, the Democrat and Chronicle reported. Kevin Merriman, 41, had been charged with second-degree harassment, a violation, stemming from an incident at a July 16 soccer game.

   Merriman and other defense witnesses told Town Judge John A. Falk in a bench trial last week that he ran onto the field to stop an impending fight by restraining the boy, then setting him down gently. Prosecution witnesses said the boy was injured by Merriman’s bear hug, though defense attorney Thomas Reh argued that the boy’s medical records revealed no injuries.

   Falk weighed the evidence over the weekend and issued his verdict yesterday.

   Merriman had contended from the outset that the boy was out of control and that he believed the youth was about to harm an opposing player while the game's referee was attending to an injured player.

   Spencerport names coach: Grady Monks has been named the new hockey coach at Spencerport, following the death last week of Craig Charron, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

   Monks previously coached at Aquinas, where his teams won four Section 5 championships from 1998-2003 and a NYSPHSAA title in 1999.

   “This is a very difficult period for our hockey program with the unfortunate loss of (Charron),” AD John Pelin said in a statement. “However, I am confident that coach Monks will be able to continue with the positive direction as well as the success on and off the ice that coach Charron instilled and provided."

   Charron died from stomach cancer that had been diagnosed in January. He was 42.

   STOP-DWI change: Binghamton has opted out of the high-profile National Division for the first time in the 19-year history of the STOP-DWI Holiday Basketball Classic, The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported.

   The 16-team, 20-game tournament will be played Dec. 28-30.

   "Dave Springer (the Patriots coach) requested that they

play in the Regional Division this year," tournament director

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Rick Westfall told the paper.

   Brooklyn Thomas Jefferson will play Mesa, Ariz., in the National Division opener, followed by Bel Air, Md., John Carroll vs. New Rochelle; Smyrna, Ga., Campbell vs. Davidson, N.C., Day School; and Philadelphia Imhotep Charter School vs. Queens Holy Cross High.

   Not the retiring type: Rich Johns may have retired from teaching last spring after 35 years on the job, but the long-time Saratoga tennis coach remains very active.

   His not-for-profit organization is branching out across Saratoga County and beyond, spreading messages of "Act With Respect Always" in the classroom and "Play With Respect Always" on the field.

   “There are coaches that believe in this and they want to continue to stress the importance of how one should be," Johns told The Saratogian. And (these coaches) have good relationships with their players.”

   It’s a process that focuses on a common goal. “It’s not about an instant change,” Johns said. “It’s about developing your character to be in a better spot as a student, an athlete and a coach.”

   Deciding soon: Tyler Harris has his list of college suitors down to North Carolina State, Iowa and Providence, in-the-know blogger Adam Zagoria reported.

   The 6-foot-8 forward helped Half Hallow Hills West to the NYSPHSAA Class AA final last winter. He's attending Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict’s Prep this year.

   Harris canceled a visit to St. John's and is expected to announce his final choice next week.

   Though the Red Storm certainly needs all the help it can get, St. John's already has five commitments from the current senior class. In addition, Steve Lavin has lined up Our Savior New American junior Jevon Thomas, one of the metro area's best point guards.