on the SIDELINES

LeBron James asks court to block state ruling\nAKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James' attorney asked a court Tuesday to block a ruling that barred the basketball high school superstar from playing for the rest of the season.\nThe 6-foot-8 senior, expected to be the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft, did nothing wrong when he accepted two sports jerseys, attorney Fred Nance said in documents filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court.\n"All LeBron did was receive a gift from a friend as congratulations for his academic achievements," Nance said. \nJudge James Williams set a hearing for Wednesday morning. \nWilliams' trial for Feb. 18 called off\nNEWARK, N.J. -- Jayson Williams' trial for Feb. 18 was called off Tuesday when an appeals court agreed to consider dismissing manslaughter charges against the former NBA star.\nAn appellate panel is to hear arguments March 12 in Trenton from his lawyers and the prosecutor's office. The ruling was filed Tuesday, without elaboration, by two appellate judges.\nWilliams' lawyers contend the office's grand jury presentation was flawed and the grand jury never should have been told Williams exercised his right to remain silent after a limousine driver was shot to death at his mansion last Feb. 14.\nThe 35-year-old Williams is accused of recklessly handling the shotgun that killed Costas Christofi, and then trying to make the shooting look self-inflicted. Two other men charged in the case have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Williams.\nTable Tennis Club to host tourney\nThe IU Table Tennis Club will host the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association Ohio Division Tournament on Feb. 9 in HPER 293 from noon to 4 p.m.\nThe Ohio Division of the NCTTA hosts two national-qualifying tournaments each year. The overall champion from the two division tournaments will compete in the NCTTA National Tournament scheduled to take place March 30 at the University of Pennsylvania. \nFour collegiate teams, Wright State University, Shawnee State University, University of Cincinnati and IU will compete in this weekend's tournament. For more information, contact Gurhan Gunduz, ggunduz@indiana.edu or call the Division of Recreational Sports at 855-2371 or 855-7772.