Exchange Students Athletics

For Jagos Medenica, the temptation was overwhelming. There he was, no one between him and the basket, the ball in his hands and his feet safely planted behind the three-point line. What's a guy to do in such an inviting situation, especially when he has been warned to take the three-point shot only if his teammates suddenly faint or become disoriented? Forget all that, Medenica thought. It was only a scrimmage and, besides, what could happen? He could make the shot, that's what.

His nickname is the "Israeli Ice Man." The son of a diamond merchant and a lawyer, Doron Sheffer didn't sprout from America's inner-city asphalt or heartland cornfields, like so many athletes whose backgrounds become public property this time of year. He is 24 and from a suburb of Tel Aviv.

Fernando Centeno, an All-City Section outfielder for Birmingham High as a junior last year, was declared ineligible Thursday by the City Section Rules Committee. Centeno, an exchange student from Ecuador, will be ineligible for one year, effectively ending his high school career. City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege also placed the entire Birmingham athletic program on probation for one calendar year, effective immediately.

Fernando Centeno, an All-City Section outfielder for Birmingham High as a junior last year, was declared ineligible Thursday by the City Section Rules Committee. Centeno, an exchange student from Ecuador, will be ineligible for one year, effectively ending his high school career. City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege also placed the entire Birmingham athletic program on probation for one calendar year, effective immediately.

His nickname is the "Israeli Ice Man." The son of a diamond merchant and a lawyer, Doron Sheffer didn't sprout from America's inner-city asphalt or heartland cornfields, like so many athletes whose backgrounds become public property this time of year. He is 24 and from a suburb of Tel Aviv.

For Jagos Medenica, the temptation was overwhelming. There he was, no one between him and the basket, the ball in his hands and his feet safely planted behind the three-point line. What's a guy to do in such an inviting situation, especially when he has been warned to take the three-point shot only if his teammates suddenly faint or become disoriented? Forget all that, Medenica thought. It was only a scrimmage and, besides, what could happen? He could make the shot, that's what.