Ohio High November 2007

Editor in ChiefSteve Helwagen

PrintingMiami Valley Sports Magazine (MVP)

miamivalleysports.com

PhotographyGary Housteau, Nick Falzerano,

Stephanie Porter, John Ritter, Brian Swartz,Anthony Brown, David Gatwood,

Greg Beers, Gary Wright

ContributorsPaul Boggs, Kurt Stubbs, David Gatwood

Staff WritersKirk Larrabee, Glenn Forbes,Jeff Rapp, Dave Biddle

Assistant EditorMatt Natali

Recruiting EditorDuane Long

Managing EditorEric Frantz

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Letters to Editor

ou’ve probably heard mention over the last month that October is alot of sports fans’ favorite time of the year. College football is in themidst of conference schedules, the NFL is nearing its halfway point,

NASCAR is nearing the finish line and the baseball postseason is in fullswing.For the high school sports fan in Ohio, though, I think November is the

best time of the year.During November, state finals for cross country, volleyball and soccer

are contested. The football playoffs take center stage and boys and girlsbasketball tip off with their season openers.The only thing better than that? This issue of Ohio High.We’ve got it all covered. And more.On the football front we have playoff previews for each division and offer

up an opinion as to which teams could walk away with the hardware.Can anyone stop Cincinnati St. Xavier in Division I? Does Kettering Alter

or Steubenville have what it takes to stop Youngstown Cardinal Mooneyfrom winning its third D-IV state title in four years? Can Springfield CatholicCentral continue Region 24’s dominance in D-VI?In addition, our football coverage includes: recruiting editor Duane

Long’s updated list of the state’s top seniors and juniors; the ESPN Top150; and a feature on current LaSalle receiver and future Buckeye DeVierPosey.You will notice that our basketball coverage has been enhanced by the

addition of Jeff Rapp to the staff. Rapp, with the help ofhoopscooponline.com’s Chris Johnson, checks in with updated capsuleson Ohio’s top boys players in grades 9-12.Our extensive basketball coverage also includes: divisional previews for

both boys and girls and features on senior standouts Cierra Bravard(Sandusky Perkins, undecided), Kenny Frease (Massillon Perry, Xavier),Delvon Roe (Lakewood St. Edward, Michigan State) and Shay Selby(South Euclid Regina, Duke). We also have a feature on the Vinton Countyboys basketball program, which is coming off a 20-0 regular season andlooking for its fourth league title in five years.Some of the burning questions on the basketball front appear to be

whether or not Cincinnati North College Hill can become the first school instate history to win four straight boys basketball titles and whether or notCincinnati Mt. Notre Dame can be challenged in D-I girls play. TheCougars are shooting for their fifth straight state final and fourth title since2003. Rumor has it this year’s team may be better than last.And finally…we also preview another popular sport in Ohio – wrestling.

And yes, Lakewood St. Edward and St. Paris Graham are obviously includ-ed. Wrestling doesn’t start competition until December, but we’ve got alook at what teams and individuals to watch when it does.In the meantime, there is plenty to keep one occupied.

Eric FrantzManaging Editor

Ohio High Magazine is published bi-monthly, six times ayear. Ohio High is an independent source of news and fea-tures relating to Ohio high school sports. Ohio High strivesto report information based on fact, but assumes noresponsability for any inaccuracies that may appear withinthe pages. Ohio High is not authorized, sponsored or sanc-tioned by any university, athletic conference or athletic gov-erning body.Subscriptions are available for $29.95 andmay be purchasedonline at jjhuddle.com.Single copy price is $6.95 each.Copyright 2007, Ohio HighMagazine andMVPMagazine, LLC.

All rights reserved.COVERPHOTOS:GaryHousteau,NickFalzerano,JohnRitter

c

Going forward, here are general topics that will be covered in each edition of Ohio High:* January (Due out Dec. 15) –Recaps of all fall sports state tournaments, final top 100 senior

prospect bios updated.* March (Due out Feb. 15) –Basketball and wrestling tournament previews.* May (Due outApril 15) –Recap of basketball and wrestling state tournaments and first top

100 football recruit bios* July (Due out June 15) –H.S. football preview, spring sports recap* September (Due outAug. 15) –Top 100 senior prospect bios updatedCheck out JJHuddle.com every day for season previews and daily coverage of Ohio high

school athletics. For subscription information onOhio High, check the Internet at www.jjhuddle.com

Upcoming Issues

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Volume 5 Issue 3

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62

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8Photo by Stephanie Porter

Photo by David Gatwood

Photo by Gary Housteau

Photo by Nick Falzerano

Also...

Breakdowns by Division and Region as to what teams to watchfor this postseason and a few more that might sneak up

H.S. Football Playoff Preview8

South Euclid Regina Senior Point Guard Shay Selby59Sandusky Perkins Senior Center Cierra Bravard60

Boys Basketball Recruiting Update46Lakewood St. Edward Senior Foward Delvon Roe44

Vinton County Boys Basketball Program50

Duane Long’s Updated Junior Football Prospects30Massillon Perry Senior Center Kenny Frease42

Duane Long’s Updated Senior Football Prospects26Toledo Start Senior Quarterback Brad Leetsma24

Find out which players are in contention for Ohio’s top honorMr. Football Candidates18

Cincinnati LaSalle senior receiver ready to become a BuckeyeDeVier Posey21

North College Hill has chance to rewrite history, Trojans lookingfor fourth straight state title

Boys Basketball Preview

Irish eyeing state titles in football and boys soccerSpringfield Catholic Central32

Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame aims for fifth straight D-I state finalsapppearance; Ohio home to two of nation’s top three post players

Girls Basketball Preview52

Lakewood St. Edward and St. Paris Graham favorites in D-I andII again; Troy Christian out to defend D-III state title

Wrestling Preview62

OHSAAAwards State Championship TV Contract7

ESPN’s Top 150 High School Football Player Rankings28

34

J JHUDDLE .COM 7JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

High School Footbal lSTORY BY STEVE HELWAGEN

here will be a new television home for the Ohio High SchoolAthletic Association state tournaments starting with this schoolyear.Following a lengthy bidding process, the OHSAAawarded the

television rights to its various state championship events toSportsTime Ohio. That announcement came down in mid-September. Italso ended a six-year partnership with Ohio News Network, which hadbeen the exclusive home of the marquee OHSAA state championships forfootball and boys and girls basketball since 2001.SportsTime Ohio was created in December 2005 by the Cleveland

Indians as the baseball team’s new cable television home. STO hasformed a partnership with Time Warner Cable and other cable outlets todistribute OHSAAevents statewide.“Needless to say, this is a very exciting time for the association, our

member schools and all fans of Ohio high school athletics,” said OHSAAcommissioner Dan Ross said. “Through this agreement with two powerfultelevision partners, we will not only showcase the many positive achieve-ments of student-athletes involved in OHSAA tournaments, but we will alsopromote the initiatives and values of the OHSAAand its member schools.“We are thrilled to begin working with SportsTime Ohio and Time Warner

Cable and look forward to the possibility of expanding television program-ming opportunities of OHSAAevents in the future.”In the spring, the OHSAAand its marketing partner Home Team

Marketing solicited bids for a new television and media contract for thestate championship events. No details of the winning STO/Time Warner bidwere released. But the OHSAA said this new partnership will nearly triplethe potential audience reach and also increases the rights fees paid to theassociation.Besides serving as the home for the Cleveland Indians, STO’s program-

ming also includes coverage of the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State andCleveland State athletics, golf and outdoors programming.STO’s partnership with Time Warner Cable, Ohio’s largest cable compa-

ny, was forged to deliver OHSAAprogramming to over 3.1 million homesstatewide and will include analog cable clearance on Time Warner Cable,Cox Cable, Buckeye CableSystem, Massillon Cable, Insight Cable,Armstrong, AT&T, UVerse, WOW! and dozens of other smaller, hometowncable systems.Plus, SportsTime Ohio is available nationally through DirecTV and Dish!

Network satellite distribution on analog and standard packages. Games willbe archived and available through Time Warner’s Local On-Demand serv-ice.“We’re extremely pleased to be able to begin this new partnership with

the OHSAAand its member schools,” said Jim Liberatore, president ofSportsTime Ohio. “We believe showcasing many of the great OHSAAchampionship events that create such outstanding memories and tell suchtremendous stories complements our current programming very well.“Everyone knows how passionate the fans in Ohio are about high school

sports, so we’re really excited about this relationship and that Time Warnerwill help us provide the coverage that will reach nearly 100 percent of thestate.”Besides covering the six state football championships, four girls state

basketball championships and four boys state basketball championships,SportsTime Ohio and Time Warner Cable will cover many other marqueeOHSAA tournament events, including championships in sports where therehas not been statewide coverage in the past.

Also included in the agreement is a trade package to promote OHSAAservice initiatives, such as the “Respect The Game” sportsmanship and“Buckle Up for a Successful Season” safety belt campaigns, as well asevent and ticket sales.While making the television announcement, Ross also said the OHSAA

is continuing discussions with companies interested in providing live anddelayed video internet streaming of several OHSAA tournament events.Plans are in the works for the OHSAA to have a statewide web site that

would provide coverage and distribution to the 60-to-70 million homes inthe U.S. that have broadband access. Ross said he hopes to announcedetails of a partnership in the near future.“Through the television partnership and our pending internet package,

the potential is there to deliver OHSAAevents on a scale never seen before,” Rosssaid.There were three cable outlets that

seemed to be in the running to securerights: STO, ONN and Fox Sports Net Ohio.However, all three had some limitations.STO’s main drawback was it is not currentlydistributed in southern Ohio due to MajorLeague Baseball restrictions on its Indianscoverage. The partnership with TimeWarner and other carriers, though, allowsSTO’s coverage of OHSAAevents to gostatewide.ONN began televising all of the state

playoff football games in 2001. Prior to that,FSN Ohio (and its forerunner,SportsChannel Ohio) televised Ohio playoffgames back to the early 1990s. But ONNwas still not available in some pockets ofthe state. It is also not available to satellite

dish users.FSN Ohio would have had to juggle OHSAA events around its coverage

of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets andMLB’s Cincinnati Reds, among other commitments.Pat Kilkenney, STO’s director of programming and production, said his

network plans extensive pregame and postgame coverage of the signatureOHSAA state championship events.“We will make it an all-day event,” Kilkenney told Ohio High.“We have a studio in Cleveland and we will make that our hub. We will

go back and forth to the live events and have constant updates, highlightsand analysis.”STO plans to use many of its familiar faces, including Jim Donovan, Matt

Underwood, Matt Cairns and Al Pawlowski on OHSAA coverage. It willalso use various analysts.Kilkenney said STO is planning a state football playoff pairings show for

Sun., Oct. 28. STO will also likely carry one or two playoff games perweekend in the four weeks leading up to the state championships, set forNov. 30-Dec. 1 in Canton and Massillon.STO will have the first selection of state playoff games each week. ONN

and FSN Ohio, which have each been televising as many as two regularseason games each week this year, are also likely to carry games in thefirst four weekends of the playoffs.— OH

T

SportsTime Ohio Gains Rights ToOHSAA State Tournaments, ONN Out

“Through thetelevision partnershipand our pending

Internet package, thepotential is there todeliver OHSAAevents on a scalenever seen before.”

OHSAA CommissionerDan Ross

J JHUDDLE .COM8 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

High School Footbal l

Colerain andRB DominiqueSherrer arelooking forschool’s secondstate title.

Photo by John Ritter

HeadFirst



ho will take home the prize?That will be the question this year as the OHSAA high

school football playoffs begin over the weekend of Nov. 2-3and will continue through the state championships inCanton and Massillon Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Last year, Hilliard Davidson outlasted Mentor 36-35 to break theCincinnati area’s stranglehold on the Division I (big school) statechampionship. Cincinnati Elder won back-to-back Division I titles in2002-03, followed by Cincinnati Colerain in 2004 and Cincinnati St.Xavier last year.If the various national polls are accurate, it is possible that a

Cincinnati school could again stand tall.As of press time late in the season, the USA Today Super 25

national poll had two Cincinnati schools in the top 25. They wereCincinnati St. Xavier at No. 2 and Cincinnati Colerain at No. 10. But,because both of those schools are in Region 4, only one of them hasa chance to advance to the state final four.Three Columbus-area schools – Hilliard Darby, Pickerington Central

and Dublin Coffman – were also hoping to make some postseasonwaves. Each of them remained unbeaten as of press time for thisissue of Ohio High.In northeast Ohio, schools such as Euclid, Mentor and Brunswick

were hoping to push the perennial powers – Cleveland St. Ignatiusand Lakewood St. Edward – for postseason glory.Here is a region-by-region look at the key contenders in Division I:

Region 1Euclid was looking potentially like the team to beat in Region 1. The

Panthers shrugged off a season-opening loss to Mentor Lake Catholicand had notched one-point wins over Lakewood St. Edward andMentor. Run/pass quarterback Howard Drake leads the way forEuclid.Mentor was also in the race

to host a first-round playoffgame. The Cardinals openedwith a 21-10 loss to defend-ing Division IV state champi-on Youngstown Mooney. Thatwas no disgrace sinceMooney, despite being amedium-sized school, wasgetting some notice in nation-al polls.Mentor boasts quality wins

over Strongsville, Solon andCleveland St. Ignatius.Quarterback Bart Tanski hasexcelled after leading Mentorto the state title game lastyear.Cleveland St. Ignatius was

also firmly in the hunt to gaina top seed in Region 1. TheWildcats have the pedigreewith an OHSAA-record ninestate playoff championships.They also boasted key winsover Youngstown Boardman, Massillon Washington and WarrenHarding. A Week 9 date with Cincinnati St. Xavier and the Week 10

rivalry game with Lakewood St. Edward loomed.Solon had put itself in position for a playoff berth with wins over

Massillon Washington and Mayfield.Strongsville had early losses to Mentor and Toledo St. John’s, but

had mounted a midseason winning streak to get into contention for aplayoff spot.Longtime powerhouse Lakewood St. Edward needed a strong close

with games against Cincinnati St. Xavier, Cincinnati Moeller and rivalCleveland St. Ignatius on the horizon.Schools likely battling for the last one or two spots included

Youngstown Boardman, Cleveland Glenville and North Royalton.North Royalton was unbeaten as of press time, but was hurt by the

poor showing of a number of its opponents.The same was true for Glenville, which won an early shootout at

Indianapolis Warren Central before losses to national powers LongBeach (Calif.) Poly and Cincinnati St. Xavier. Highly recruited widereceiver Cordale Scott was the top performer for Glenville.Projected regional champion: Mentor

Region 2Longtime powers Massillon Washington and Canton McKinley were

struggling. As of press time, neither had a winning record and eachwere in danger of missing the playoffs.That left a wide open race in Region 2, where Brunswick was the

only unbeaten late in the year.Brunswick, led by quarterback Sean Bedevelsky, built its dossier

with wins over Macedonia Nordonia, Parma Normandy and Solon.Nordonia, led by wide receiver Brian Vollmer, was also in position

to host a first-round playoff game. But late-season showdowns withStow-Munroe Falls and Mayfield loomed.Toledo Whitmer may be a team to watch. The Panthers showed

they had staying power with overtime wins over Toledo Start, ToledoSt. Francis and Toledo St. John’s.North Canton Hoover was also in contention to host a first-round

game. The Vikings had key wins over Newark Licking Valley, CantonMcKinley and Youngstown Boardman.Wadsworth was another team to consider. Quarterback Dru Jones

and running back Scott Saylor lead the Grizzlies.More schools to watch included Perrysburg, Canton GlenOak,

Toledo St. John’s, Fremont Ross and Stow-Munroe Falls.Projected regional champion: Macedonia Nordonia

Region 3As noted, there were three central Ohio D-I schools still unbeaten

late in the year with Hilliard Darby, Pickerington Central and DublinCoffman. All of them are members of the Ohio Capital Conference,although they are in different divisions and were not scheduled tomeet in the regular season.Darby, led by run/pass quarterback Jeremy Ebert, served notice

early when it knocked off crosstown rival and defending state champi-on Hilliard Davidson 21-10 in Week 1. Darby also boasted importantwins over Toledo Central Catholic, Cincinnati Anderson and UpperArlington.Pickerington Central made the move to Division I look seamless

after ending up last year as the Division II state runner-up. Centralavenged that state championship game defeat with a Week 2 winover Piqua (14-7). The Tigers had key wins over Lancaster andWorthington Kilbourne as well.Dublin Coffman boasted a star-studded lineup, including Ohio

State-bound wide receiver Jake Stoneburner and offensive linemanMike Adams as well as quarterback Zack Stoudt.

WDIVISION I

STORY BY OHIO HIGH STAFF

Cleveland St. Ignatius is looking for its10th state title. Junior Patrick Hinkelcontributes on both sides of the ball.

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The Shamrocks had wins over Mentor Lake Catholic and neighbor-hood rivals Dublin Scioto and Upper Arlington.Gahanna-Lincoln, led by Darius Reeves, was also in contention to

host a first-round playoffgame. The Lions’ only loss asof press time was to UpperArlington. Gahanna boasteda win over Division II powerOlentangy Liberty.Columbus Brookhaven

looked good for at least aplayoff spot and maybe evena home first-round playoffgame. The Bearcats’ onlyloss was to Hilliard Davidson.The rest of the Region 3

playoff field looked like a racebetween Upper Arlington,Hilliard Davidson, Lancasterand Groveport-Madison.UA’s only losses were to

unbeatens Hilliard Darby andDublin Coffman. Davidsonhad a late-season showdownwith Dublin Coffman. A winthere would help Davidson’scause to defend its statechampionship.Kilbourne, after a lean year

or two, was back in the huntwith wins over Lancaster and Dublin Scioto.Projected regional champion: Dublin Coffman

Region 4As always, the race to win Region 4 and represent southwest

Ohio in the state final four looked like it would be a real battle.Cincinnati St. Xavier, with marquee wins over Hyattsville (Md.)

DeMatha, Cleveland Glenville, Louisville (Ky.) Trinity and GreaterCatholic League rivals Cincinnati Elder and Cincinnati LaSalle, wason pace to possibly set an OHSAA computer points record. Withstandout running back Darius Ashley missing time due to injury, St.X turned to wide receiver/kicker Danny Milligan as its top playmaker. The Bombers did lose senior quarterback John Hurley inWeek 8 to injury. He was replaced by sophomore Luke Massa.Colerain, which won the region last year before falling to Hilliard

Davidson in the state semifinals, was also unbeaten in coach TomBolden’s first year on the job. He replaced longtime coach KerryCoombs, who left to become an assistant at the University ofCincinnati.The Cardinals were led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Doug

Reynolds and running back Dominique Sherrer. Colerain had winsover Huber Heights Wayne, Hoover, Ala., and West Chester LakotaWest.Cincinnati Princeton was also in the hunt to host a first-round

playoff game. The Vikings had wins over Centerville and CincinnatiSycamore. They were led by sophomore quarterback SpencerWare.Cincinnati Sycamore was also a possibility to host a first-round

game. The Aviators, led by junior running back Bud Golden, hadwins over Cincinnati Withrow and Harrison.Seven other schools were probably vying for the last four spots.

They included Cincinnati Glen Este, Centerville, Harrison, Cincinnati

Elder, Huber Heights Wayne, Cincinnati LaSalle and CincinnatiMoeller.Projected regional champion: Cin. St. Xavier

State Championship Game ProjectionCincinnati St. Xavier over Mentor

By Steve Helwagen

Dublin Coffman is led by a plethoraof college prospects, includng seniorQB Zack Stoudt, a first year starter.

DIVISION IIiqua, backed by Mr. Football award winner Brandon Saine,rolled through the OHSAA Division II high school football play-offs last year to win the state title.Although Saine is now carrying the ball at Ohio State, the

Indians were back in the hunt for a playoff berth – if not a topseed – in this year’s playoffs. Piqua’s only loss was to PickeringtonCentral, the team it beat in last year’s state title game. Central hasmoved up to Division I this season.As of press time late in the season, there were a handful of

unbeaten teams in Division II. They included Tallmadge, WarrenHowland, Sylvania Southview, Avon Lake, Columbus DeSales,Dresden Tri-Valley and Cincinnati Turpin.Here is a region-by-region look at the top contenders in Division II:

Region 5As of press time, Tallmadge remained unbeaten. The Blue Devils,

led by junior running back Tyler Fortner, had wins over AkronFirestone and Medina Cloverleaf. A Week 10 showdown withWadsworth was on the hori-zon.Parma Normandy looked

like a strong possibility tohost a first-round playoffgame. As of press time, theInvaders’ only loss was toDivision I unbeatenBrunswick. Normandy’s keywins included PolandSeminary and crosstown rivalParma. A Week 10 match-upwith Division I unbeatenNorth Royalton loomed.Mayfield also had a good

shot at hosting a first-roundgame. The Wildcats, led byrunning back AshanteWilliams, suffered their onlyloss at the hands of Division Ipower Solon. They had keywins over Bedford, OlmstedFalls and Stow-Munroe Falls.Warren Howland was

unbeaten in its first sevengames with the top win com-ing over Canfield.Maple Heights was also in the running for a top-four finish and a

chance at hosting a first-round game. The Mustangs’ lone loss wasto Bedford. Their top win was over Lorain Admiral King. Opportunities

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Tallmadge, led by junior RB TylerFortner, is one of the favorites inRegion 5.

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were ahead with games against Mentor and Euclid.Cleveland South was hanging in for a shot at a playoff berth.

South, led by dynamic junior quarterback Devontae Payne, had winsover Warrensville Heights and Cleveland Rhodes. A Week 10 show-down with Senate League rival Cleveland Glenville loomed large.Other schools to keep an eye on included Parma Padua

Franciscan, Akron Firestone, Madison and East Cleveland Shaw.Projected regional champion: Tallmadge

Region 6There are three recent Division II state champions in Region 6,

including Piqua, Avon Lake and Toledo Central Catholic. The depth ofthis field makes this region an intriguing one.Piqua’s bid to repeat as the state championship team would be

aided by hosting a first-round game, and the Indians were in positionto do just that. Quarterback Justin Hemm was back from last year’stitle team. Piqua’s lone loss was a 14-7 decision at PickeringtonCentral, the team Piqua beat for in last year’s D-II state title game.Central has moved up to Division I this year. Piqua had wins over St.Marys Memorial, Trotwood-Madison and Vandalia Butler. Challengesremained with D-I opponents Troy and Clayton Northmont.Avon Lake was unbeaten through seven weeks. The Shoremen,

led by running back Mike Haddad, had wins over Dover, OlmstedFalls and North Olmsted.Toledo Central Catholic was in the hunt to also host a first-round

playoff game. The Fighting Irish had losses to D-I unbeaten HilliardDarby and Toledo St. John’s.Delaware Olentangy Liberty also had a chance to host a first-round

playoff game. The Patriots, led by quarterback Ryan Cypret, had winsover Ironton and New Albany. Their lone loss was a 27-24 doubleovertime defeat at the hands of D-I power Gahanna-Lincoln.Sylvania Southview was unbeaten through seven weeks. The

Cougars shut out their first three opponents (Toledo Bowsher, ToledoRogers and Toledo Start) and also boasted a win over crosstown rivalSylvania Northview.Other schools to consider in Region 6 included Lexington, Ashland,

Grafton Midview, LodiCloverleaf and NorthRidgeville.Projected regional

champion: Avon Lake

Region 7Through seven weeks, it

had been a great start forfirst-year Columbus DeSalescoach Ryan Wiggins. HisStallions, with wins overToledo St. John’s, NewAlbany and Central CatholicLeague rivals Columbus St.Charles and ColumbusWatterson, were unbeaten.Columbus Marion-Franklin,

led by running back BobbyHarris, was among the topteams in the Columbus CityLeague. The Red Devils’ loneloss as of press time was toTrotwood-Madison in the sea-son opener. Marion-Franklin

had wins over Columbus Northland and Columbus EastmoorAcademy.Louisville, with wins over Ravenna and Beloit West Branch, was a

candidate to host a first-round playoff game.That was also true for Canfield, whose only loss was to

Youngstown East.As of press time, Dresden Tri-Valley was unbeaten. But the

Scotties were hurt by poor performances by the teams on theirschedule. Their top wins were over New Concord John Glenn andSheridan. A Week 9 match-up with Division IV unbeaten NewLexington was on the horizon.Columbus Watterson looked like a strong possibility to make the

field, despite midseason losses to unbeatens Steubenville and rivalColumbus DeSales. Watterson opened the year with four straightwins over Division I opposition (Willoughby South, Pickerington North,Westerville South and Cincinnati Glen Este).Zanesville was also looking good for a playoff bid. The Blue Devils

had wins over Newark and Portsmouth. Their losses were to NewarkLicking Valley and Logan.Logan was also in the running. The Chieftains had not lost since a

season-opening loss to Division I Lancaster.Other schools in the mix included Columbus St. Charles, New

Albany and Youngstown East.Projected regional champion: Canfield

Region 8Through seven weeks, Cincinnati Turpin remained unbeaten. The

Spartans boasted quality wins over Cincinnati Glen Este, CincinnatiIndian Hill and Kings MillsKings. Turpin is led by quar-terback Ryan Martin, widereceiver Andy Cruse andsophomore running backWayne Dunham.Cincinnati Withrow dropped

its opening game toCincinnati Sycamore, but hadnot lost again as of presstime.The Tigers had key wins

over Cincinnati Taft andCincinnati Hughes Center.Withrow is led by quarterbackJuandez Brown and widereceiver Darrion Brown.Dayton Carroll was also in

position to possibly host afirst-round playoff game. ThePatriots boasted wins overBeavercreek and VandaliaButler. Their only loss as ofpress time was to unbeatenKettering Alter.Trotwood-Madison also had

a chance to host a first-roundgame. The Rams, led by Cincinnati-bound quarterback DomonickBritt, Penn State-bound running back Michael Shaw and Michigan-bound tight end Brandon Moore, had losses to unbeaten FortThomas (Ky.) Highlands and defending D-II state champion Piqua.Trotwood had wins over Columbus Marion-Franklin and Sidney.

Late-season match-ups with rivals Clayton Northmont and VandaliaButler loomed large.

Despite losses to Steubenville andDeSales, Watterson and QB MasonTackes are a postseason threat.

Dayton Carroll, led by Adam Fearing(above) and David McComas, is look-ing for its seventh straight playoff berth.

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Kings Mills Kings was also strong in the running for a playoff berth,if not a chance to host a first-round games. As of press time, Kingshad losses to Springboro and unbeaten Cincinnati Turpin.The Knights, led by quarterback Bruce Ernest and wide receiver

Derrick Harris, had wins over Trenton Edgewood, Oxford Talawandaand Loveland.Trenton Edgewood was also in position for a playoff berth. The

Cougars, led by quarterback Brandon Marcum and running back JonElder, opened with a loss to Kings Mills Kings. But they had not lostagain as of press time, posting key wins over Cincinnati WintonWoods and Hamilton Ross.Cincinnati Anderson also was in good shape for a playoff berth.

The Redskins, led by quarterback Daniel Rod and running back ElijahStorey, absorbed losses to D-I unbeaten Hilliard Darby and CincinnatiLaSalle. But they had key wins over Cincinnati Winton Woods andLoveland.Other schools in contention to make the field included Vandalia

Butler, Cincinnati Taft, Cincinnati Hughes Center and CincinnatiWinton Woods.Projected regional champion: Trotwood-Madison

State championship game projectionAvon Lake over Trotwood-Madison

By Steve Helwagen

DIVISION IIIteubenville is the two-time defending state champions inDivision III, however the Big Red moved down to Division IVthis year. That means the playoff picture is wide open inDivision III.Here is a region-by-region look at the top contenders in

Division III:

Region 9At press time, Rocky River was undefeated and was in first place

in Region 9. The Pirates’ best wins came against North Ridgeville(21-0) at Midview (40-15) and at Vermilion (31-20). Rocky River isled by quarterback Andy Breidigam.Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit was in second place in Region 9 at

press time. The Warriors’ lone loss through the first seven weeks ofthe season came in a 10-7 barnburner against Akron St. Vincent-St.Mary. Walsh Jesuit’s big wins came over Hunting Valley UniversitySchool (44-34) and at Padua Franciscan (44-27). With a big offen-sive line and a tough defense, the Warriors could be one of thefavorites to advance deep in the postseason. The 1-2 punch ofCameron Ontko and Kyle Snyder leads Walsh Jesuit.Chagrin Falls was in third place in the computer poll at press time

and the Tigers’ biggest win was their 7-6 triumph in the season open-er at Peninsula Woodridge. Chagrin Falls’ lone loss at press timecame at the hands of Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (17-7).Mentor Lake Catholic is another talented team from Region 9. The

Cougars suffered three early losses, but they were all against out-standing teams -- Cleveland Benedictine (21-7), Dublin Coffman (26-21) and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (40-14). Lake Catholic wasNo. 4 in the computer poll as of press time thanks to quality winsover the likes of Euclid (27-13), Madison (24-9) and PaduaFranciscan (35-17). Junior RB/CB Randy Greenwood (6-1, 180) is

S

one of the stars for Mentor Lake Catholic.In fifth place at press time was Cortland Lakeview. The Bulldogs

suffered losses to Warren Howland (21-7) and Niles McKinley (17-0)in successive weeks, but rebounded to defeat four straight teamswith winning records (34-27 over Champion, 28-13 over Hubbard, 33-20 over Brookfield and 28-23 over Youngstown Liberty).Sitting in the No. 6 spot was Mogadore Field. The Falcons were

undefeated at press time and had beaten three teams with winningrecords (42-6 over Waterloo, 27-0 over Manchester and 41-7 overNorton).Aurora was No. 7 in the computer poll at press time. The

Greenmen fell to Massillon Perry in Week 4 (17-10) and had notbeaten a team with a winning record. However, they were 12-2 lastyear, including the deepest playoff run in school history, so they willbe ready for the postseason if they qualify.Another team to keep a close eye on in this region is Cleveland

Benedictine.The Bengals were seeded just eighth at press time due to three

consecutive losses to quality opponents (31-14 to ColumbusWatterson, 21-13 to Lakewood St. Edward and 31-17 to YoungstownCardinal Mooney). However, with wins over Chardon Notre DameCathedral Latin (28-7) and Mentor Lake Catholic (21-7), Benedictinewill likely qualify for the postseason if it can finish strong. TheBengals have a strong backfield and have already erased most of thememories from their disappointing 2-8 campaign in 2006.Projected regional champion: Cleve. Benedictine

Region 10At press time, Shelby led the way in the Region 10 computer poll

thanks to quality wins over Lexington (21-14), Ashland (42-14) andFostoria (26-15). The Whippets’ lone loss in the first two-thirds of theseason came at Tiffin Columbian (19-8).In second place in Region

10 at press time was thepowerful squad from SunburyBig Walnut. The GoldenEagles have claimed keywins over Olentangy (14-12)and Dublin Scioto (4-3). BigWalnut is led by linebackerWill Studlien (6-2, 220) whois one of the top 10 juniors inthe state according to OhioHigh.Tipp City Tippecanoe was

in the No. 3 spot at presstime. The Red Devils’ lonewin over a team with a win-ning record through the firstseven weeks came in Week6 at Bellefontaine (21-20) ina match-up of then undefeat-ed squads. The Red Devilswere 9-2 last year and quali-fied for the playoffs.Bellefontaine was No. 4 in

Region 10 at press time. TheChieftains’ key wins cameover Sidney (33-7) and atKenton Ridge (28-12). Their lone loss as of press time was the afore-mentioned 21-20 heartbreaker against Tipp City Tippecanoe. Lastyear, Bellefontaine finished 5-5.

Sunbury Big Walnut quarterbackEthan Wetzel and the Eagles areprimed for a deep playoff run.

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Other strong playoffs contenders in Region 10 include: Napoleon,Clyde, Urbana, Kenton Ridge, St. Marys Memorial and TiffinColumbian.Projected regional champion: Sunbury Big Walnut

Region 11Leading the way in Region 11 at press time was Canal Fulton

Northwest. The Indians had claimed key victories over Orrville (21-14), Akron Firestone (42-21), Chardon (55-16), Louisville (34-33) andCanton South (24-7) – teams that all had winning records at presstime. Northwest is led by sen-ior quarterback JimmyShiplett (6-3, 200).Ranked No. 2 in the com-

puter poll at press time wasNewark Licking Valley. ThePanthers suffered one loss(at North Canton Hoover 45-40) but have dominated theirother games. Their closestwin as of press time was a27-7 victory over Zanesville.Licking Valley features one ofthe state’s top players in jun-ior RB/LB Storm Klein (6-3,220).In third place as of press

time was Beloit West Branch.The Warriors lost to Louisville23-13 in Week 5, but haveclaimed quality victories overRavenna Southeast (48-0)and Canton South (14-11).West Branch finished 6-4 lastyear but a postseason berthseems likely this season.In fourth place in Region

11 at press time was Canton South. The Wildcats had to replace theTorrence brothers this season (Devon graduated and is at Ohio State;DeVoe transferred to Massillon Washington) but have still beenimpressive this year. Their biggest wins came against Dover (28-21)and Alliance Marlington (14-9). Their losses as of press time cameagainst Canfield (27-7), Canal Fulton Northwest (24-7) and BeloitWest Branch (14-11).Sitting in the No. 5 spot at press time in Region 11 was Alliance

Marlington. The Dukes have quality wins over St. Thomas Aquinas(18-14), Crestview (28-14) and Alliance (21-6). However, they fell toCanton South in Week 7, 14-9.Other playoff contenders to keep an eye on in Region 11 include:

Poland Seminary, Granville, Dover, Uhrichsville Claymont, NewPhiladelphia and New Concord John Glenn.Projected regional champion: Newark Licking Valley

Region 12Sitting atop the computer rankings as of press time was Canal

Winchester. The Indians had two wins over teams with winningrecords (25-24 at Teays Valley and 27-17 over Circleville). Their loneloss as of press time came in Week 6 against Fairfield Union, 14-12.It was Fairfield Union’s first win of the season. Running back TonyDavis leads the Indians.Circleville was ranked No. 2 as of press time in Region 11. The

Tigers have quality wins over Miami Trace (34-27), Washington C.H.(34-27) and Hamilton Township (10-7). Their losses came againstWilliamsport Westfall (31-7) and Canal Winchester (27-17). Runningback Cody Griffin leads Circleville.In the No. 3 spot at press time was Thornville Sheridan. The

Generals have two big wins over teams with winning records (35-0over Portsmouth West and 35-0 over New Concord John Glenn) andtheir lone loss as of press time came at the hands of Division IIDresden Tri-Valley.Ranked No. 4 at press time in Region 12 was Goshen. The

Warriors claimed key victories over New Richmond (36-15), Mt. OrabWestern Brown in the first half of the season, but fell to Little Miami(21-7).Rounding out the playoff contenders in Region 12 are: Franklin,

Washington C.H., Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, Columbus Eastmoor,Cincinnati Indian Hill, Cincinnati McNicholas and Lemon-Monroe.Projected regional champion: Thornville Sheridan

State Championship Game ProjectionSunbury Big Walnut over Newark Licking Valley

By Dave Biddle

Newark Licking Valley and Ohio Statecommit Storm Klein looking for school’s11th postseason appearance.

DIVISION IVoungstown Cardinal Mooney won its second state champi-onship in three years last season with a 14-0 record. And thisyear, the Cardinals are once again one of the favorites to bringhome the state’s top prize.However, two-time defending Division III state champion

Steubenville moved down to Division IV this year and the Big Redare one of many teams that will be looking to knock Mooney off itsperch. In fact, those two schools could be possible opponents inRegion 13 action.Here is a region-by-region breakdown of the top playoff contenders

in Division IV:

Region 13Youngstown Cardinal Mooney led the pack in the Region 13 play-

off rankings by press time. The Cardinals’ key wins in the first sevenweeks of the season came against Mentor 21-10, Gateway (Pa.) 27-6, Mentor Lake Catholic 40-14 and Cleveland Benedictine 31-17. Ledby star players such as DT John Simon (6-3, 250, Jr.), FB/LBMichael Zordich (6-3, 230, Sr.) and QB/S Dan McCarthy (6-1, 195,Sr.) Mooney might be as talented as any team in the state, regard-less of division.Also enjoying an excellent season is Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

which ranked No. 2 in Region 13 at press time. The Irish claimed keywins over previously unbeaten teams such as Napoleon (21-15) andCuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (10-7). The Irish finished 4-6 last year,but have been able to turn things around this year. Running backCarnell Evans and quarterback Roger Wilson lead SVSM.The Perry Pirates were ranked No. 3 in Region 13 by press time.

Their quality wins came over Painesville Riverside (41-14) andAurora (17-10) and they had not lost a game by press time.Sitting at the No. 4 spot in the computer polls at press time was

Canton Central Catholic. The Crusaders claimed big wins over NewPhiladelphia (25-0), Massillon Perry (35-8), Dover (35-14) and

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Bedford St. Peter Chanel (19-0). The Crusaders are led by QB JoeyRhoads (5-10, 175, Sr.).Ranked No. 5 at press time was Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley. The

Trojans’ lone loss at press time came at Waynedale in the seasonopener (27-19). Their best win came over Cuyahoga Valley ChristianAcademy (36-35).Steubenville was ranked just sixth at press time, but the Big Red

was undefeated and poised for another deep playoff run. They had ahuge Week 6 win over Columbus Watterson (23-14), which markedtheir only victory over a team with a winning record as of press time.That is one of the reasons they hadn’t compiled a lot of computerpoints. The Big Red are led by quarterback Dwight Macon and run-ning back Branko Busick.Projected regional champion: Cardinal Mooney

Region 14Genoa stood atop the computer rankings in Region 14 as of press

time. The Comets lost their season opener at Oak Harbor (14-7), butrebounded to win their next six games. Key wins during that stretchincluded: Bloomdale Elmwood (33-7), Kansas Lakota (14-7), andPemberville Eastwood (21-14).Ranked No. 2 in Region 14 at press time was Pemberville

Eastwood. The Eagles claimed quality wins over Clyde (28-24) andOak Harbor (21-0), but fell at Genoa in Week 6 (21-14).Elyria Catholic was ranked No. 3 at press time. The Panthers had

two wins over teams with a winning record on their resume, includingNorwalk St. Paul (22-14) and Warren JFK (30-7).Ranked No. 4 at press time was Huron. The Tigers lost to Milan

Edison (21-7) and Clyde (41-21) but claimed victories over SanduskySt. Mary Central Catholic (38-21), Vermilion (30-14), Norwalk (21-14)and Cleveland South (44-6).Sitting at the No. 5 spot at press time in Region 14 was Marion

Pleasant. The Spartans’ biggest win was over Sparta Highland inWeek 6, 7-4. Their lone loss as of press time came at the hands ofSt. Henry, 17-14. Pleasant was one of the favorites in this regionentering the season following a 10-2 campaign in Division V last year.Oak Harbor was ranked No. 6 as of press time. The Rockets’

biggest win came over Genoa in the season opener, 14-7. Their loneloss as of press time came at Pemberville Eastwood (21-0). OakHarbor was 13-1 last year, including a run to the state semifinals.Two-way lineman Wade Ishmael (6-0, 245, Sr.) was a first-team All-Ohio selection last year and he leads an excellent group of interiorlinemen.Other teams to keep an eye on in the playoff race in Region 14

include: Fostoria, Bucyrus, LaGrange Keystone, Wellington, SpartaHighland and Ottawa-Glandorf.Projected regional champion: Pemberville Eastwood

Region 15Pataskala Licking Heights led the pack in Region 15 as of press

time. The Hornets had key wins over Johnstown Monroe (16-6),Fisher Catholic (42-21) and Liberty Union (35-21).In second place as of press time was Waverly. The Tigers’ quality

wins came over South Point (38-21), Pickerington North (21-16),Minford (33-2) and Portsmouth West (33-7).St. Clairsville was ranked No. 3 in this region as of press time. The

Red Devils had three wins over teams with winning records on theirresume. They beat Belmont Union Local 27-20 in double-overtime,Wheelersburg 21-7 and Steubenville Catholic Central 35-24.Sitting at the No. 4 spot as of press time was Williamsport Westfall.

The Mustangs have quality wins over Teays Valley (21-10), Circleville

(31-7) and Frankfort Adena(35-0). Westfall finished 11-1last year, including a trip tothe regional finals.Portsmouth was ranked fifth

as of press time. The Trojanshave quality wins overWheelersburg (27-20) andZanesville (56-14).Ranked No. 6 was Belmont

Union Local. The Jets lost atSt. Clairsville 27-20 in double-overtime. However, they havekey wins over Shenandoah(21-19) and Martins Ferry (39-7).New Lexington was sitting

in the No. 7 position at presstime, but had an undefeatedmark. The Panthers’ biggestwin of the first seven weekscame over McConnelsvilleMorgan (20-14). NewLexington is led by OL/LBJosh Conrad (6-1, 245, Sr.).The Panthers finished 12-1

last year.Other playoff contenders in Region 15 include: Rock Hill, Ironton,

Martins Ferry and Piketon.Projected regional champion: New Lexington

Region 16Kettering Alter was the state runner-up in Division III last year and

this season the Knights were ranked No. 1 in the D-IV, Region 16playoff standings as of press time. Alter’s best win was a 38-14thumping of previously undefeated Dayton Carroll in Week 6. Senior

running back Corey Roark(5-10, 190) is the workhorsefor a very potent groundattack. The powerful offen-sive line is led by EvanJohnson (6-2, 250, Sr.) andBobby Joseph (6-4, 220,Sr.).West Milton Milton-Union

was ranked No. 2 at presstime. The Bulldogs had quali-ty victories over CasstownMiami East (41-0), SidneyLehman (35-7) and Franklin(28-14). However, they weredowned in Week 7 atBrookville, 42-36.Plain City Jonathan Alder

was the state runner-up inDivision IV last year andgave Youngstown CardinalMooney a good game in thetitle match-up (led much ofthe first half but eventuallyfell 26-12). This year, thePioneers were ranked No. 3

Williamsport Westfall junior quarterbackD.J. Cain has the Mustangs on theverge of a fifth straight playoff berth.

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Corey Roark and Kettering Alter arelooking to make back-to-back statefinals in different diviisions.

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in this region as of press time. Their key wins came over Lemon-Monroe (36-26) and Columbus Ready (27-20). However, they weredealt a surprising 27-15 defeat at Indian Lake in Week 2. Alder is ledby three-year starting quarterback Austin Schlosser (6-1, 190, Sr.)and running back Luke Bates (5-9, 190, Sr.).Sitting in the No. 4 spot as of press time was Clarksville Clinton-

Massie. The Falcons have key wins over Blanchester (10-7),Waynesville (30-13) and Miami Trace (32-12). Clinton-Massie is aperennial playoff team and it finished 10-2 last year.Dayton Oakwood was standing tall in the No. 5 spot at press time.

The Lumberjacks suffered a Week 7 loss at Waynesville (31-28).However, they also defeated Brookville 24-21. Oakwood finished 6-5last year including its latest playoff birth.Other playoff contenders in Region 16 include: Cincinnati Wyoming,

Brookville, Coldwater, Cincinnati North College Hill, CincinnatiFinneytown and Blanchester.Projected regional champion: Kettering Alter

State Championship Game ProjectionCardinal Mooney over Kettering Alter

By Dave Biddle

DIVISION Vivision V has the unusual occurrence of two state champions play-ing in the same playoff region. Last year’s Division VI winner MariaStein Marion Local is cruising in a bigger division, 7-0 at press timewith a slim lead in computer rankings for the number one seed overWest Jefferson and Cincinnati Deer Park. Meanwhile, defending D-

V state champion and perennial contender St. Henry was struggling at 3-4, on the outside of the playoff picture ranked 14 in the region.Another move has made Region 17 more competitive with Bedford St.

Peter Chanel sliding over from Region 18. However, improving teams inKirtland and Cuyahoga Heights have pushed Chanel to the 8th spot.Division IV transplant Youngstown Ursuline is 6-1, holding a small leadover undefeated North Lima South Range, another power in the northeast.In Northwest Ohio, Findlay Liberty-Benton and Patrick Henry are having

continued success in Region 18. Both teams were 7-0, but trailed lastyears’ two seed Sherwood Fairview by over half one point for the topseed.In Region 19, teams that have played tough schedules were being

rewarded as Columbus Bishop Ready had a comfortable hold on the topspot at 6-1. Wheelersburg held the third seed at 4-3, followed by Minfordand Fredericktown at 5-2.Here is a look at the top teams in Division V by region:

Region 17Youngstown Ursuline is making sure the city has a stranglehold on

Divisions IV and V. The Fighting Irish took advantage of the move downfrom being in the same region as Cardinal Mooney and looked great at 6-1. A loss to Massillon Washington after a soft early schedule put the pres-sure on Ursuline, but they responded with quality wins over Chardon andSt. Charles. But games against undefeated Mooney and St. Vincent St.Mary loom at the end of the season.South Range had dominated almost every team in their first seven

games, winning by a combined score of 307-65. An opening week 26-21triumph over Mogadore is the most impressive of their victories to date.Mineral Ridge, who was 7th in the region, faced off with South Range in akey game for both teams Week 9.

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Apple Creek Waynedale was third at 6-1 after posting three shutoutswith a lone loss to Danville. Undefeated Vienna Mathews also recordedthree shutouts, but trailed Waynedale. A favorable schedule had Mathews

in good position to host a play-off game as a four seed orhigher, though PymatuningValley poses a difficult chal-lenge in Week 10.Kirtland looked to improve on

last years' playoff appearanceand looked to be a force afterbeating Cuyahoga Heights 24-6. But back-to-back losses,specifically a double overtimedefeat to Independence couldcome back to haunt Kirtland.They did not get much help incomputer points from their lastthree opponents.Cuyahoga Heights had the

more dominating season, butstill trailed Kirtland for fifth place,meaning both teams could betalking about their Week 4 clashthrough November.Mineral Ridge can likely hang

on to a playoff spot by winningtwo out of their last three, orbeating South Range couldbump them up a few spots.

St. Peter Chanel, Gilmour Academy and Northwestern were battling forthe final spot. Richmond Heights could jump into the mix with a strong fin-ish and win over Cuyahoga Heights.Projected regional champion: Y’town Ursuline

Region 18This is a powerful region where the top four teams were undefeated at

7-0 and the next three were 6-1. Sherwood Fairview had not scored lessthan 32 points in a game and won by a single digit margin only once.Tests against Ayersville and Tinora remain for a defense that in somecases has forced their offense to score plenty of points.Liberty-Benton continues their solid play with quality wins over Arlington

and McComb. The only opportunity to pick up points on Fairview is a con-test against Hardin Northern.Patrick Henry had embarrassed most of their opponents, but the tough-

est part of their schedule remained. Patrick Henry recorded an impressivewin at Liberty Center Week 4.Wynford is undefeated, have routed opponents in most of their games,

and yet was barely clinging to the fourth seed to guarantee home fieldadvantage. The Royals were hoping to hold off Archbold. Awin overRiverdale could clinch home filed for Wynford. A home team drawingArchbold in round one will have their hands full. The Blue Streaks loneloss was by 6 to Fairview.Liberty Center will battle Archbold in a game that will likely decide final

seedings in the last regular season game. Lima Central Catholic was ingood shape to clinch a playoff spot. Their lone loss was to Bishop Ready,which does not hurt them.Another huge Week 10 match-up in this region will feature Central

Catholic and Ada. Delphos Jefferson was holding on to the 8 seed butalso faced Ada in Week 9. The Wildcats were certainly rooting for Fairviewin their game against Tinora, which is just behind Jefferson for the finalspot.

Youngstown Ursuline junior DarrellMason will play a large part in theIrish’s postseason success.

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Region 19Bishop Ready and Buckeye Trail seemed to be a cut above in this

region. Both teams appeared to be locks to host playoff games andmaybe finish 1-2 in Central Ohio. Ready was not tested in shutting outfour of their first five opponents, but Jonathan Alder handed the SilverKnights their lone blemish. Ready rebounded with a big win over LimaCentral Catholic.Buckeye Trail was 7-0 and not been tested since a September victory

over Tuslaw. Buckeye Trail could overtake Ready with a win overHannibal River, though River is a D-VI school.Wheelersburg had three losses, yet was positioned to host a playoff

game because of wins over Ironton and Minford. Losses to Division IVschools Portsmouth and St. Clairesville had not knocked the Pirates intothe bottom half of the region. Wheelersburg must finish strong againstWaverly and Portsmouth West to clinch a home game.Minford figures to stay behind Wheelersburg because of the head-to-

head loss, but the Falcons have winnable games to end the season.Fredericktown was holding steady in 6th place at 5-2, their biggest win

a 7-0 shutout of Danville. Their playoff appearance seemed almostassured.Ridgewood’s heart stopping 10-9 win over Malvern to move them to 6-1

might have stamped their ticket to the playoffs.The last two seeds were very close with several teams looking to land

in the final eight. Shenandoah and Johnstown-Monroe had the advantagein mid-October. The Zeps also faced River but ended with two gameswhere they appeared to have the advantage.Johnstown-Monroe had a tougher path with Danville, Utica and

Northridge. Portsmouth West, Belpre and Liberty Union could all knockthe Johnnies out of the playoffs with a strong finish from every team. Atpress time, the finals spots were far from decided.Projected regional champion: Bishop Ready

Region 20Maria Stein Marion Local has not been touched this season. The Flyers

followed up an impressive 35-14 win over Coldwater with a 31-0 thrashingof the proud St. Henry program. Marion Local has not played the bestteams this season, but no one can accuse them of playing down to theircompetition. The 2006 DivisionVI state champions have all but locked uphome field advantage, but face tough competition from West Jeffersonand Cincinnati Deer Park for the top spot.The undefeated Rough Riders scored a big win over Liberty Union, but

their toughest tests come in the final two games against Harvest Prep andLicking Heights.Deer Park’s lone loss came at 6-1 Wyoming, a Division IV opponent. A

victory over Division III Indian Hill would secure home field for theWildcats. Those three teams appear to be a cut above the rest of theregion, but an interesting battle could develop for the final home gamebetween Anna, Waynesville, and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.Anna was 6-1 with a lone loss to Coldwater, but must play Rockford

Parkway, currently 9th in the region, and Marion Local. A win over eitherteam would greatly improve the chances of hosting a playoff game for theRockets. Waynesville has almost exclusively faced Division III and IVopponents. A quality win over Oakwood nearly assures this team of play-ing in the postseason, but it is difficult to tell how the points and losses willadd up for the Spartans.Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy is a bit of an enigma because of their

schedule and bad loss to Mariemount. The final three games againstNorth College Hill, Summit Country Day and Cincinnati Country Day willreveal a lot. If the Eagles struggle, they might end up out altogether.Twin Valley South was hurt by its blowout loss to Miami East and the

two could switch positions by the end of the season. The Panthers canhold on to a playoff spot by beating seemingly weaker opponents in the

final three weeks. The Vikings could be playing for everything when theyarrive at Arcanum.Parkway and Cardington Lincoln have great chances to move up into

the final spots if they can win the remaining games on their schedule.Projected regional champion: Marion Local

State Championship Game ProjectionYoungstown Ursuline over Marion Local

By Glenn Forbes

DIVISION VInew Division VI football champion will be crowned in Ohio in 2007.Maria Stein Marion Local shut out Shadyside 17-0 in the title gamein 2006, but the Flyers have made the move up and are thriving inDivision V. With Marion Local out of the picture in Region 24,Springfield Catholic Central, Covington, Lehman Catholic and

Mechanicsburg are all in position to make the playoffs again.Here is a look at the top teams by region in Division VI:

Region 21The boys from Hopewell-Loudon have dominated all opponents and

had a hefty lead over Columbiana for the top spot. Despite playing quali-ty Division V teams like Elmwood and Lakota, both on the road,Hopewell-Loudon was unbeaten. Seneca East and Elmwood have beenthe only teams to get within two touchdowns of the Chieftains. One diffi-cult game remained against Division V Mohawk, but Hopewell-Loudonappeared to be a lock for the top seed in Region 21.Columbiana and Mogadore were in a tight battle for the two spot,

though a date with undefeated South Range loomed for the Clippers.Mogadore met South Range in Week 1 and suffered their only loss, 26-21 at home.Norwalk St. Paul, over from the northwest region, had a tremendous

start to the 2007 season. The Flyers were 6-1, their only loss at thehands of undefeated Division IV power Elyria Catholic. The 22-14 set-back was a precursor to three blowout wins in the next four games,though St. Paul’s schedule was somewhat weak in the middle.Warren JFK sat in the sixth spot after coming from Division V. A tough

schedule can hurt and help the Eagles. JFK spent little time playing D-VIopponents so their 5-2 record was a bit deceptive. JFK was tested twicein the final three weeks against Tuscarawas Valley and against DivisionIII University School.The sixth place and 10th place team in the region were separated by

less than a point.Dalton and McDonald were in good position to make the playoffs with

strong finishes, but the race for the final spot was too close to callbetween Monroeville and Leetonia. The Eagles started 0-3 and havebeen clawing their way back since. The final game at St. Paul could befor a playoff berth. Leetonia had a chance to pick up points if they couldbeat McDonald. St. Mary Central Catholic could vault into the playoffs,starting with a win over Division III Clyde.Projected regional champion: Hopewell-Loudon

Region 22McComb had a healthy lead over Ada for the top spot in a region with-

out an undefeated team. The Panthers stumbled just once against apowerful Liberty-Benton team and had winnable games the final threeweeks. Hosting a playoff game was a near certainty for McComb.

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Ada was hurt by key losses to Hardin Northern Week 1 and CrestviewWeek 6. The Bulldogs, by contrast, had a difficult final stretch wherethey faced Jefferson and Lima Central Catholic, both away, the final twogames of the season. Ada must win two of their final three if they wantto be home for the first playoff game.Toledo Christian opened some eyes when they beat Division II Toledo

Libbey in the season opener. The Eagles have done what they neededto do and convincingly beat weaker opponents. Toledo Christian fol-lowed their lone loss to Hilltop by beating their next two opponents by acombined score of 68-7. A battle against Northwood was the toughestgame down the stretch for the Eagles.A vastly improved Arlington team was trying to hold off Ayersville and

Hilltop for the fourth seed and a home playoff game. Arlington made itthrough a tough schedule at 5-2, with losses to Liberty-Benton andMcComb. The final game against Dola Hardin Northern could be the dif-ference between home field advantage and a road game for Arlington.Defiance Ayersville and Hilltop were also 5-2 and right behind the Red

Devils. Ayersville blows out the teams they should but lost close gamesto quality opponents. Undefeated Fairview could have joined Archboldand Tinora as teams that defeated the Pilots. Hilltop has been inconsis-tent. They were drilled by Antwerp but won a thriller over ToledoChristian 21-17.Projected regional champion: McComb

Region 23Newark Catholic and Hannibal River were in a tight race for the top

spot, while Shadyside had a solid grip on the third seed. NewarkCatholic beat two Division III teams at press time, but it’s hard to figureout which quality opponent they’ve beaten. Licking Valley was certainlythe Green Wave’s toughest test in Week 9.River has recorded three shutouts on their way to a 7-0 record, beat-

ing a steady diet of lower division teams with West Virginia schoolssprinkled in. The Pilots have embarrassed the three teams they playedin the region, defeating St. John Central, Caldwell and Bridgeport 106-6.A win over Shenandoah or Buckeye Trail would lock up a home game.Shadyside appeared poised to make another run to the state title

game with just one loss to Wheeling (W.Va.) Central Catholic. TheTigers narrowly escaped what would have been a big loss to Barnesvilleand a win over Bridgeport could land Shadyside in the top four.Malvern and Danville were engaged in an intense battle to host the

final playoff game. Both teams were 5-2 and in a virtual tie for the fourthseed. Malvern started by winning five in a row but dropped their last twobefore an easier stretch run. The wins over weaker teams will help, butwill not give the Hornets any extra points to widen their margin.Danville’s quality win over Waynedale offset losses to Division IICleveland South and Fredericktown. A Blue Devil victory overJohnstown-Monroe could have given Danville the inside track to thefourth seed.Beallsville was undefeated, yet stuck with the sixth seed because of a

weak schedule. Beallsville has not scored less than 41 points in a gameand have not given up more than 12. Those distinctions could changeagainst Bridgeport, but as long as the Blue Devils prevented a loss to alesser opponent, they should be in the postseason.Two Catholic schools, Waterford and Bridgeport were all in contention

for the final two spots. Lancaster Fisher Catholic won their first fourbefore dropping three in a row. Wins over Harvest Prep and LibertyUnion would get the Irish into the playoffs. The most impressive thingabout Steubenville Catholic Central might be their two losses. TheCrusaders were beaten by two undefeated teams, Wheeling CentralCatholic and St. Clairsville. A loss to any of their final three opponentswould have knocked out the Crusaders.Projected regional champion: Hannibal River

Region 24The south region had the best race for the number one seed.

Springfield Catholic Central, Sciotoville Community School andCovington were all separated by less than half of one point. TheCatholic Central Irish were 7-0, but with only one quality win, 27-13 atWest Liberty-Salem. A potential stumbling block against Northeasternwas the only thing between the Irish and a perfect regular season.Sciotoville Community also looked to be a potential undefeated, but

with their best two wins against West Virginia schools it was tough to geta read on their playoff prospects. The Tartans biggest scare came froma winless Unioto team that marched into Portsmouth and nearly stoleone from Sciotoville Community. The Tartans seem to have played withmore urgency since that near embarrassment.

The Covington Bucs havelooked solid most of the sea-son, but they played their bestball in back-to-back-wins overquality Division V teams MiamiEast and Twin Valley South.Covington had a great chanceto run the table, and the victo-ries over the D-V teams couldcatapult Covington into thenumber one seed. All three topseeds appeared to be goodbets to host a playoff game.Lockland could have almost

assured themselves of ahome playoff game with a winover Cincinnati Hills ChristianAcademy, but the Panthers fellin a 25-24 heartbreaker on theroad. Cincinnati Country Dayand North College Hill gaveLockland one of the toughestfinishing schedules in theregion. A 2-1 finish shouldhave locked up home fieldadvantage for the Panthers.Lehman Catholic has right-

ed the ship after a stunning 0-2 start with both losses coming at home.The Cavaliers win over Division III Indian Lake turned around their sea-son. Lehman has scored 56 points or more in three of their last fourgames at press time. A huge game against undefeated Patrick Henryserved as a great barometer for the Cavaliers postseason chances.Mechanicsburg and Waynesfield-Goshen were too close to call for the

sixth and seventh seeds. Mechanicsburgs’ 34-7 loss to Catholic Centralgave the Indians an indication of how far away they were from the topechelon of the region. A 41-37 loss to West Jefferson in the first game of2007 might haunt Mechanicsburg after the season, though a victory overWest Liberty-Salem would give the Indians confidence heading into thepostseason. Waynesfield-Goshens’ 6-1 record and margins of victoryare overrated because of their poor schedule. Harvest Prep andPortsmouth Notre Dame had the best chances to earn the final spot.Projected regional champion: Springfield Catholic

State Championship Game ProjectionHopewell-Loudon over Springfield Catholic

By Glenn Forbes

Sidney Lehman Catholic senior RBDan Jacob and the Cavaliers are look-ing for second straight playoff berth.

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Mr. Footbal l Candidates

ith the 2007 football season in fullswing, the race for Ohio’s Mr.Football award is as tight as someof the state championship races to

Stark County.For the fifth straight year, The Ohio News

Network, Ohio High magazine and HuntingtonBank will present its own player of the yearaward in football. Cleveland Glenville's TedGinn, Jr. claimed the inaugural award in 2003,Akron Hoban's Tyrell Sutton in 2004 andColdwater’s Ross Homan in 2005.Piqua RB Brandon Saine ran away with the

Mr. Football award and the ONN-Ohio Highmagazine award last year both figurativelyand literally after leading the Indians to theirfirst state championship in Division II. Sainehad 226 yards and three TDs in Piqua’s 26-7state title game win over Pickerington Central.Including that championship game, Saine had2,242 yards and 35 TDs (31 rushing) on theseason.Also a state champion on the track, Saine

is now suiting up at Ohio State toting the ballfor the Buckeyes.This season, the choice may not be as cut-

and-dry for the coveted awards as severalgridders – particularly quarterbacks – are put-ting up player of the year worthy numbers,including a number of underclassmen.Let’s take a look at the top players in the

state vying for Ohio high school footballimmortality.Youngstown Cardinal Mooney QB Danny

McCarthy could be considered the earlyfavorite to take home both Mr. Football andONN-Ohio High magazine player of the year

honors. McCarthy led the Cardinals to theirsecond state title in three years last seasonand was a first team All-Ohio selection with1,704 yards rushing on 223 carries and 19TDs. He was also 38-of-70 passing for 761yards with seven TDs.The Notre Dame recruit hasn’t skipped a

beat this season picking apart defenses boththrough the air and on the ground. AsMooney approached the homestretch of theregular season, McCarthy had collected near-ly 800 yards rushing on 92 carries with 10TDs and 281 yards on 11-of-18 passing withfour TDs and two INTs. More importantly,McCarthy led Division IV Mooney to huge vic-tories over 2006 Division I state runner-upMentor and national powerhouse Monroeville(Pa.) Gateway early in the season in additionto the traditional Ohio powers on Mooney’sbrutal schedule. Mooney has even brokenthough on the national scene ranked amongstthe country’s top ten teams in several nationalpolls.Another signal-caller making a case for

player of the year recognition is Mentor QBBart Tanski. After leading the Cardinals to astate runner-up finish last year in whichMentor lost a 1-point, double-overtime heartbreaker to Hilliard Davidson, Tanksi haspaced the Cardinals in an effort to lead thehis team back to Stark County. Throughseven games, Tanski was 115-of-235 passingfor 1,725 yards with 15 TDs and three INTs.He also had 230 yards rushing and threescores on the ground. With key regular sea-son wins over Strongsville, Solon, St. Ignatiusand Massillon, Tanski is aiming for a state title

and is putting up some impressive numbersalong the way.Central Michigan QB recruit Ryan Radcliff

has put up astronomical numbers for DivisionV Sherwood Fairview both this season andfor his career etching his name in the OHSAArecord books. As of print time, Radcliff hadcompleted 215-of-332 pass attempts for3,083 yards and 42 TDs with only three INTs.In Week 7 alone, Radcliff completed 34-of-50passes for 650 yards and seven TDs in a 66-35 win over Wayne Trace. He also ran for 51yards and two TDs in the game.As a junior, Radcliff tied the record for

passing TDs in a game tossing nine scoringstrikes against Defiance Ayersville. With threegames left in the regular season, he wasthreatening his career high 57 TD passes in aseason (T-3rd all-time) and looking to eclipsesecond place on the all-time list for both TDpasses in a season (60) and in a career(126).From Southwest Ohio, Trotwood-Madison

QB and Cincinnati recruit Domonick Britt hasshown well leading the Rams spread offense.Heading into the final three weeks of the reg-ular season, Britt led the Greater WesternOhio Conference in passing completing 92-of-160 attempts for 1,543 yards and 14 TDs withsix INTs. He also had 182 yards rushing anda score on the ground.Dublin Coffman was a mainstay in the

Division I ONN-Ohio High Power Poll throughthe regular season thanks to a talented castof blue-chip players, including QB ZackStoudt. Son of former NFL QB Cliff Stoudt,Zack showed he is a chip-off-the-block toss-ing 1,880 yards on 116-of-175 passing with19 TDs through Coffman’s 7-0 start.From Central Ohio, Eastmoor Academy RB

Isaiah Pead is looking to become the first Mr.Football recipient from the Columbus areasince Upper Arlington RB Jeff Backes wasselected in 2000.With three games remaining on the regular

season schedule, Pead had over 1,300 yardsrushing and 29 TDs as the speedy seniorattempted to lead the Warriors to their secondstraight playoff appearance in Division III afterfalling in the first round of the postseason lastyear in Division IV. As a junior, Pead had1,696 yards on 158 carries and 24 TDs. He isconsidering scholarship offers from Cincinnati,Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Pittsburgh, WestVirginia, Wisconsin and Marshall.In Week 6, Start QB Brad Leetsma became

the all-time leading passer in the Toledo CityLeague eclipsing the 40 TD mark for hiscareer.Leetsma holds 19 school records including

more than 6,000 yards passing tallying 1,335yards and 11 TDs on 100-of-176 passingthrough Week 7.

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McCarthy, Tanski in the mix for Ohio High Playerof the Year award and Mr. Football honors



Candidates for the OH/ONNPlayer of the Year award are(clockwise from top) Mentor’sBart Tanski, Mooney’s DannyMcCarthy and EastmoorAcademy’s Isiah Pead.


Top Flight

STORY BY MATT NATAL IPh

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Cincinnati LaSalle RB Kendall Owens ledthe Greater Catholic League – arguably thetoughest conference in the state – in rushingas the regular reached its end with 991 yardson 120 carries and 15 TDs. While the Mr.Football award may be a long shot forOwens, his season is worth mentioning com-peting against such a tough schedule.Another player from the GCL who could

very well be the most valuable player on oneof the nation’s top teams is Danny Milligan ofCincinnati St. Xavier. The senior all-purposeplayer had 24 catches for 382 yards and sixTDs through seven games, 62 yards rushingon 10 carries and one TD, was 24-for-25 onpoint after attempts, 6-of-8 on field goalattempts (long 42), averaged 39.8 yards perpunt (long 58) and had 37 kickoffs for 2,202yards (57.9 avg.) with 29 touchbacks.A couple of small-school backs that are

probably not in the running for Mr. Footballcompeting in Division VI but are puttingtogether nice seasons for teams with statetitle aspirations include Newark Catholic’sMark Nichols and Springfield CentralCatholic’s Brian Wagner. Through Week 7,Nichols collected 1,391 yards on 168 carrieswith 23 TDs while Wagner tallied 1,304 yardson 144 carries and 19 TDs. For his career,Wagner has over 5,500 yard and over 80TDs.Only one player has earned Mr. Football

honors before his senior season (RobertSmith, Euclid; 1988), so it is rare an under-classman receives such accolades. However,there are a few players in Ohio this seasonputting up player of the year type numbersthat will probably have to wait until their sen-ior seasons for that recognition.Newark Licking Valley junior RB/LB Storm

Klein, an Ohio State commit, is arguably oneof the top prospects in the class of 2009 afterrushing for over 1,000 yards both his fresh-man and sophomore seasons. He is on pacefor his third 1,000-yard season this year col-lecting nearly 700 yards and 15 TDs as theregular season hit the home stretch.QB Spencer Ware has breathed new life

into the Cincinnati Princeton program andcould very well be the top sophomore playerin the state. After going a combined 8-22 thelast three seasons, Ware has Princetonpoised for the first Vikings playoffs appear-ance since 2001. Through the first sevengames of the season, Ware led the GreaterMiami Conference in passing completing 85-of-134 attempts for 1,399 yards with 12 TDsand only three INTs. On the ground, Warehad 668 yards rushing on 117 carries and 13TDs. In a brutal Region 4, Ware and theVikings could make some noise in the play-offs this season.Other players in contention for postseason

awards and accolades include Akron BuchtelCB/WR Johnny Adams, Dublin Coffman OLMike Adams, Toledo Whitmer RB AnthonyAllen, Cincinnati St. Xavier RB Darius Ashley,Mooney RB/LB Brandon Beachum, KetteringAlter QB Austin Boucher, Westerville CentralK Ben Buchanan, West Chester Lakota WestWR Bakari Bussey, Youngstown Ursuline OLHarold Coates, Cincinnati Turpin WR AndyCruse, Madison TE Nic DiLillo, Hilliard DarbyQB Jeremy Ebert, Coffman ATH TreyFairchild, Centerville QB David Fleming,Mooney DE/LB Taylor Hill, Strongsville QBTim Kamczyc, Whitmer TE/DE Kevin Koger,Trotwood-Madison TE Brandon Moore,

Cincinnati LaSalle WR DeVier Posey,Colerain QB Doug Reynolds, ClevelandGlenville DL Shawntel Rowell, CincinnatiElder TE Kyle Rudolph, Clayton NorthmontOL Zebrie Sanders, Massillon Washington KSteve Schott, New Middletown SpringfieldQB Nate Schuler, Cleveland Glenville ATHCordale Scott, Trotwood-Madison RBMichael Shaw, Colerain RB DominiqueSherrer, Columbus DeSales WR KennyStafford, Coffman WR Jake Stoneburner,Strongsville RB Eric Stoyanoff, Turpin OLAaron Van Kuiken, Waverly QB Trevor Walls,WCH Miami Trace LB/DE Nathan Williams,and Mooney LB Michael Zordich. — OH

2003: Ted Ginn Jr., Cleveland Glenville2004: Tyrell Sutton, Akron Hoban2005: Ross Homan, Coldwater2006: Brandon Saine, Piqua

Past ONN/Ohio High/HuntingtonPlayer Of The Year Award Winners

1987: Ronald “Buster” Howe, Zanesville1988-89: Robert Smith, Euclid1990: Bobby Hoying, St. Henry1991: Derrick Kidwell, Fostoria1992: Marc Edwards, Norwood1993: Curtis Enis, Mississinawa Valley1994: Charles Woodson, Fremont Ross1995: Andy Katzenmoyer, Westerville South1996: Derek Combs, Grove City1997: Tony Fisher, Euclid1998: Ryan Brewer, Troy1999: Brandon “Bam” Childress, Bedford Chanel2000: Jeff Backes, Upper Arlington2001: Maurice Clarett, Warren G. Harding2002: Ben Mauk, Kenton2003: Ray Williams, Cleveland Benedictine2004: Tyrell Sutton, Akron Hoban2005: Delone Carter, Copley2006: Brandon Saine, Piqua

Past Mr. Football Winners

DeVier Posey


STORY BY MATT NATAL I

Photo by John Ritter


DeVier Posey

“We had some major problems with mymom and dad,” Posey described candidly.“There was a big drug scene in SanFrancisco and my mom didn’t want us to bearound that stuff. She decided to move usback to Cincinnati with our family and I thinkshe made the right choice.“It was hard for my mom because she had

four kids and she was single. Moving toCincinnati, we didn’t really have anything andwe lived with my grandma.”Posey’s health improved by age 3 and

sports became an influence at a very youngage. His uncle Clint Haslerig played football atMichigan and spent nine years in the NFL andhis uncle Bill Haslerig played baseball for theWolverines then professionally in the AtlantaBraves organization.“When we first got here, my uncle Bill start-

ed me off with baseball,” Posey recalled. “Hetaught me how to run and gave me the stridethat I have now. They taught me everythingand they were my first coaches. Sports helpedme keep my mind off of things.”Posey’s uncles first got he and his siblings

interested in sports. But away from the fieldsof competition he had the caring support of hismother, who was the glue that held the familytogether.“I always said that even though it was hard

you could never tell with our family becausewe were always smiling and we always hadlove for each other,” he said. “We alwaysknew it would get better sooner or later and itdid as the years went on as we kept fighting.”Posey acknowledged the sacrifices his fami-

ly – particularly his mother – had to makewhen he was younger.“I don’t think she did such a bad job coming

to Cincinnati with nothing and putting all hermoney into us going to Catholic schools,” hesaid. “I think she had to sacrifice a lot at thebeginning and we understood the sacrifice.We sacrificed having nice things and a nicehouse to put everything into our education for

our future.“As time went on, all the sacrifices we had

in the beginning helped us to stay focused tokeep going. The more you sacrifice the moreyou get out of it and we understood that at areal young age and that carries over intosports.”And it is apparent that those life lessons

have translated not only over to the footballfield for Posey but to the basketball court andtrack as well. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.3rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last sea-son and qualified for state track meet in the100, 200 and 400-meter events. Posey nearlygave up football to focus on basketball early inhigh school but decided to stick it out on thegridiron.“I thought I was a decent (football) player

freshman year on the freshman team but Inever got to play varsity as a sophomore,” herecalled. “I had to work hard at it and it wasnever easy. I guess you could say I alwayskept my head up with everything and the onlyway to accomplish things is to never give up.”Once Posey did reach the varsity level for

the Lancers, it was obvious he had legitimatetalent accounting for over 1,300 all-purposeyards, nine touchdowns and earning first teamAll-Ohio honors.His junior campaign – where Posey caught

35 passes for 750 yards (21.4 average) andseven touchdowns -- caught the eyes of therecruiters from some of the top college footballprograms in the country and before he knew it

he had scholarship offers to California,Michigan State, Oklahoma, Clemson and OhioState just to name a few.“When the recruiting process started, I

thought I was going to be an ACC guy or asmall Big Ten player but I didn’t know how bigI could go,” Posey said. “I always told myselfOhio State would never come into the picturebut if the USC’s and Florida’s and Ohio State’sdid come in I didn’t know what I would do.“My goal was to be the best receiver in Ohio

and I knew if I was Ohio State would come in.But I would always tell people I never reallyliked Ohio State because I didn’t want to buildmyself up too high and get disappointed.He added, “I would get an occasional letter

from (Ohio State) but it was never anythingbig. When (Ohio State wide receivers coachDarrell Hazell) got in contact with me I wasreally surprised and I guess I figured theywere for real.“When they came into the picture, I was

really excited. I asked my mom what shethought about Ohio State and she said shethought I could play there. So, it was an easycall from there.”Posey issued a verbal commitment to Ohio

State in March becoming the third player tojoin the Buckeyes’ 2008 recruiting class.“Ohio State has wide receiver tradition, they

have a lot of players in the NFL right now andthey are winning – what more could you askfor,” Posey said. “It is exciting. It just lets meknow I am going to the right place. If you wantto be the best receiver, Ohio State is a goodplace for you to go. And that is the goal – Iwant to be a really good receiver and I thinkmy journey starts there.”Posey continued his fine play on the field for

LaSalle this fall. As of press time, he hadamassed 43 catches for 718 yards (16.7 aver-age) and six touchdowns in his team’s firsteight games.While he is scheduled to take his official

recruiting visit in November, Posey took in his

eVier Posey never imagined he would be where he is today.The 6-3, 190 pound Cincinnati LaSalle All-Ohio wide receiver and Ohio State

recruit is one of the state’s top senior prospects and is rated as the No. 22receiver in the country by ESPN’s Scouts, Inc.But the accolades, recognition and honors were a distant dream for Posey

and his family long before he stepped onto the football field.Posey’s journey began in San Francisco, Calif., where he was born the youngest of four

siblings and faced health complications as a small child. In 1992, his mother Julie Poseypacked up the family and moved to Ohio.

D

“My goal was to be the bestreceiver in Ohio and I knew if I was

Ohio State would come in.”

Cincinnati LaSalle ReceiverDeVier Posey

DeVier Posey


first Ohio State game in person earlier thisseason watching the Buckeyes knock offAkron 20-2 in September.“I had no idea what it was like but me

being up there for the first time I was just inawe – like a little kid in a candy store. It wascrazy,” he said. “I didn’t know it was going tobe like that and it was just a really cool expe-rience.“When you talk about the Saturday tradi-

tion at Ohio State, I am new to it but it is thebest thing I have seen anywhere. I think it isa really special place.”Posey is already looking forward to next

September when Ohio U. pays a visit to the‘Shoe to take on the Buckeyes. Posey’s olderbrother Julian is a redshirt freshman corner-back for the Bobcats and DeVier is hoping toget the opportunity to line up across from theperson he admires most next season.“My brother is my best friend, my cheer-

leader, my motivation and my role model. Hedoes everything for me,” Posey said. “I lookup to him and I think in a way he looks up tome. He made me the athlete I am today andI give him 100 percent credit. I know he hashad it rough sometimes too but he’s alwaysbeen there to push me and always beenthere when I needed him.”The elder Posey was named to the first-

team All-Greater Catholic League South hissenior year at LaSalle with 107 tackles,including 15 for a loss and two interceptions.He also earned three varsity track letters atLaSalle.“But I think that is going to be crazy,”

Posey said about the match-up with hisbrother’s Bobcats.“I know my brother is looking forward to

that to try and do his big brother thing to me.I think my brother really wants to get achance to guard me and shut me down and Iwant to get a chance to burn him. It’s goingto be real fun. My mom is going to be goingcrazy that day.”With support of his family through hard

times and adversity since he was a smallchild – particularly his mother and olderbrother Julian – DeVier Posey has been ableto accomplish success as a person athletical-ly, academically and spiritually.“They are my backbone,” he said. “My

mom is here every day with me. She is myeverything and keeps me going. Without heror my brother I don’t think I would be going toOhio State.“I believe God gives you two fates – a bad

one and a good one – and you control yourown destiny from there. I am not ashamed ofmy past or where I came from. I walkedthough it and have seen it and with faith inGod we were eventually able to work throughit.” – OHPhoto by Johh Ritter

Posey chose Ohio Stateover California, Oklahomaand Michigan State toname a few.

Easy Choice

Brad Leetsma


Toledo Start senior quarterbackBrad Leetsma is undecided oncollege, but his place in ToledoCity League history is secure.

Photo by David Gatwood

Top Dog

Brad Leetsma


STORY BY DAV ID GATWOOD

oledo Start’s Brad Leetsma is notthe biggest or the fastest highschool quarterback in northwestOhio but it cannot be denied that he

has been the most prolific. Over the pastthree years that Leetsma has quarterbackedthe Spartans, all that he has done is to leadthe highly competitive Toledo City League inpassing and, in the process, establish himselfas the league’s all-time leading passer.When Leetsma first entered the scene at

Start High School his ultimate success wasunforeseen. He had enjoyed only moderatesuccess at the junior high level and he was ashort, skinny lad who was extremely quietand not particularly charismatic. A more likelychess club member than an individual des-tined for inclusion in Toledo City League his-tory.For the young impressionable Leetsma it

was walking on the Start campus and meet-ing head coach Pat Gucciardo that markedhis transformation.“Gucciardo has been great,” Leetsma said.

“He has shown me how to play the position.When I am playing I can hear his voicetelling me what to do. It is unbelievable howhe anticipates every situation. I owe every-thing to him.’Inherent in Leetsma’s comments is an

insight into what has allowed him to developinto the athlete and quarterback that he istoday. Because he arrived at Start with littleprior football experience he also arrived as anearly clean slate as far as any preconceivedideas as to how to play the game, in general,and how to play quarterback, in particular. Asa result, Gucciardo and his coaching staffwere able to develop Leestma in a mannerthat allowed him to fit smoothly into theSpartan program.Under Gucciardo, Start has earned the

reputation of playing an explosive offensivegame. Although Gucciardo is quick to arguethat he does not utilize a spread offense,there can be no denying that the Spartansthrow the ball more frequently than any otherteam in the Toledo City League. It is no coin-cidence that the top two passing quarter-backs in league history both played forGucciardo.Under the Gucciardo offensive system, the

ability to pass is a necessity and a 15-yearold Leetsma learned his lessons well.

The rapidness of Leetsma’s developmentis nothing short of remarkable.It was never intended that Leetsma would

become the Start quarterback until the begin-ning of his junior year. This would haveafforded him a full year as a back-up to ayoung man who was already a proven pass-

ing quarterback, Michael Berman, but unfore-seen circumstances and injuries precipitateda change in plans and the commencement ofLeetsma’s remarkable career.With less than one full year under the tute-

lage of the Start coaching staff, Leetsma wasthrust into the starting quarterback position.No one knew what to expect but Gucciardo.As a former standout high school quarter-back himself, Gucciardo was confident thathis young protégé had what was necessaryfor success.“No one works harder than Brad,” said

Gucciardo. “From the beginning he did every-thing that we asked of him. He was youngbut he had the tools. He just needed to getsome reps and Mike’s injury (former Startquarterback) forced the issue.”Even though he was replacing a near leg-

end in Berman, Leetsma never missed abeat. The Start offense continued its passhappy ways and all Leetsma did was leadthe TCL in passing yards and touchdownpasses as a sophomore.To Leetsma’s credit, he never missed a

beat over the next two years. Despite the factthat his team failed to enjoy much successon the field, Leetsma continued to amassimpressive personal stats. In his junior year

he again led the City League in passingyardage and touchdowns and this year he iswell on his way to the unprecedented accom-plishment of topping it all off by leading theleague one final time.Through seven games Leetsma has

already passed for 1,335 yards and connect-ed on 11 touchdowns. Both figures lead theleague, but, more impressively, as ofSeptember 28, Leetsma is the league’s all-time leading passer by amassing 5,300 totalyards and 40 touchdowns.Being officially recognized as the all-time

leading passer in the long history of theToledo City League is an awesome accom-plishment but Leetsma is less thanimpressed."The records are nice and all, but all I care

about is winning", Leestma said after settingthe record against league rival CentralCatholic.Wins have been hard to come by for Start.

Despite the personal successes of their out-standing signal caller, the Spartans havefailed to seriously challenge for a CityLeague title or qualify for a state playoff berthduring Leetsma’s tenure and Leetsma sin-cerely would put aside all of his personalaccomplishments in exchange for either.“Without a doubt my greatest regret is the

fact that we have not done better as a team,”Leestma said. “Everyone has tried hard butwe always seem to do something that caus-es us to come up short. The coaches havebeen great and I have had a great time but Iwish that we had done better.”Soon Leetsma’s tenure as the Start quar-

terback will end and he has aspirations ofdisplaying his skills at the next level. At only6-foot and 175 pounds, he is a bit undersizedfor most college programs but there has stillbeen considerable interest displayed by anumber of recruiters.Where Leetsma may be playing next year

remains up in the air but his involvement inthe recruiting process led to his most impor-tant accomplishment and it did not occur onthe playing field. It occurred in the classroom.Hard work on the football field came natu-

rally to Leetsma but, by his own admission,such was not the case with academics.“Prior to this year I did not do too well in

school,” Leetsma said. “I guess I didn’t havemuch interest but that has all changed. Iwant to play (football) in college and I nowknow how important it is to pay attention tomy grades. My sister and mom have beenhelping me and I am doing much better.”In a few short weeks Leetsma will spend

his final night in the Spartan locker room buthe has left his mark on the program.His name will remain in the record books

for a long time. — OH

“No one works harder thanBrad. From the beginninghe did everything thatwe asked of him. Hewas young but he had

the tools.”

Toledo Start Head CoachPat Gucciardo

T

Toledo Start Senior QuarterbackBrad Leetsma Sets Toledo CityLeague Career Passing Record


Duane Long ’s Updated Seniors

he class of 2008 really came into its own over the summer.We saw some impressive football players last fall, but thebest of the best are elite athletes as well as elite football play-ers.When we saw what DeVoe Torrence and Jake Stoneburner

did, just to name a couple, I knew that this was a special class. Wehave seen it on the field again this year.Torrence had a rough few games early on after transferring from

Canton South to Massillon Washington. But he righted his ship withan outstanding 283-yard, four-touchdown effort against Mentor,always one of the best coached teams in Ohio with underrated SteveTrivisonno at the helm. Torrence is only playing offense this year. Hehad over 800 yards in the first five games.I do not know for sure what was behind the decision to transfer, but

I would not be surprised if playing strictly on offense was behind thethinking. He is so far behind most top running backs because he hasnot carried the ball nearly as much.Stoneburner was enjoying a fine season with 26 catches over his

first five games at Dublin Coffman. One coach told me that he wouldthrow the ball to Stoneburner all the time. He said for every threetimes you throw him the ball, he will score twice. His Coffman team-mate Mike Adams – like Torrence and Stoneburner also an OhioState commitment – has been his usual dominating self. He regularlylooks up and sees nothing but green in front of him as coaches aredeciding it is pointless to try and defeat him. The only lineman in thisstate I have seen that is better than Adams is Buckeye legendOrlando Pace.Glenville athlete Cordale Scott solidified his position as one of the

top players in the country as coach Ted Ginn Sr. took his programnational playing a couple of the top programs in the entire countrywhen he scheduled Indianapolis Central and Long Beach Poly. Polyhas put more players into the NFL than any high school. Scott lookedlike he belonged against this elite company. I am still not convincedthat he is sure to be a receiver at the college level. I want to make itclear that it isn’t a matter that I am not impressed with his as a receiv-er. I think he is as good a receiver as any player in the class. I justsee a defensive player’s mind-set in Scott and when I look at hisbody I see a player that could outgrow receiver. Ohio State was seenas the team to beat on Scott. He also had offers from Wisconsin,Iowa and Illinois, among others.Tight end is one of the high profile positions in the state this year.

One of the safe bets is that we will never see a class to rival it. Thefacts are hard to refute. You have Cincinnati Elder’s Kyle Rudolph toNotre Dame, Trotwood Madison’s Brandon Moore to Michigan, ToledoWhitmer’s Kevin Koger to Michigan and Madison’s Nic DiLillo to OhioState. If you want to project Stoneburner to tight end, that is a total offive tight ends from one state going to Big Four schools. I only hopewe see that again.Moore has been a little dinged, but is rounding back into form now

that he is not playing any defense as he was early in the year. DiLillo

has been a man among boys. He is the underrated one. He is a will-ing blocker with great hands and will surprise with his run after catchabilities.At this time last year, Cincinnati LaSalle wide receiver Devier

Posey was an unknown. He is now a national top-10 receiver in areally outstanding class. He has been instrumental in the outstandingstart LaSalle is off to. He was the best player on the field whenLaSalle beat city rival Elder, and has stepped into the role of differ-ence maker all season. He is an early candidate for player of theyear.The other that comes to mind is Columbus Eastmoor Academy’s

Isaiah Pead. At midseason, he was averaging 13 yards a carry. Hewas putting up highlight reel runs every game. I still think he is aplayer that needs to be out in space but I am more convinced afterseeing him this season that he could be a running back at the nextlevel. Pead joins Scott as the only top-10 Ohio prospects who havenot committed.This offensive line class was not as deep but it certainly had the

high end talent to match recent classes. Clayton Northmont tackleZebrie Sanders has had such a fine first half of the season that hehas drawn the attention of Ohio State again.A player that has really come into his own is Hunting Valley

University School lineman Jake Stoller. He is a Wisconsin verbal, butI would not be surprised to see some other schools try to change hismind about that verbal.The Youngstown Mooney contingent has been as advertised as

they have tried to defend their Division IV state championship. DanMcCarthy, an early Notre Dame verbal, has been stellar at quarter-back and safety, but the ones that have really taken their games toanother level are Brandon Beachum and Mike Zordich. Beachum hasbeen a playmaker on both sides of the ball despite being a littlebanged up. Zordich has been such a physical presence. He is bring-ing it as a fullback and linebacker. Beachum and Zordich will playtheir college ball at Penn State.A player that has flown under the radar his entire career is Hilliard

Darby linebacker B.J. Machen. In speaking to opposing coaches, heis not flying under their radar. He has to be blocked or he is going tomake the tackle. Georgia Tech has landed a really good one inMachen.Trotwood-Madison can boast as many stars as any school in the

state this year and all those players are living up to expectations. Thedefense is anchored by Nebraska verbal Doug Rippy, a late transferinto Trotwood from Columbus Linden McKinley. He has been a differ-ence maker for coach Maurice Douglas.After seeing Gahanna Lincoln’s Darius Reeves, he leads my most

baffling list. He sure looks like a Big Ten player to me. I am not awareof any grade issues. The other that sits atop the head scratcher list isWaverly quarterback Trevor Walls. He is not the most mobile kid, butI need someone to point out to me what else is wrong with himbecause I can’t see it.

T

PhotobyNickFalzerano

Bellefontaine’s Sean Eglerand Keith Morgan

Duane Long ’s Updated Seniors


Stanford came into Ohio and stole one in Cincinnati St. Xavier’sFred Craig. He is the anchor of the St. X defense that has helped thatprogram to a national ranking. Glenville cornerback Donnie Fletcherleads his team in tackles and about the only schools not to offer arethe Big Four.Dublin Coffman quarterback Zack Stoudt is taking advantage of

having receivers committed to Ohio State and Syracuse, respectively.His numbers look like something straight out of a video game.Through five games, Stoudt was completing over 71 percent of hispasses for over 1,300 yards.A couple of players that just appeared on the radar are Sean Egler

and Keith Morgan from Bellefontaine. I have never been a fan ofsmaller backs, but Egler is a special one. He runs like a big back buthas the speed of a small back. He is going to be one to watch later inthe process.Morgan is a high school quarterback who could play wide receiver

or anywhere in the defensive backfield. He is already committed toBowling Green.

Another future Bowling Green player is Licking Valley offensivelineman Tim German. He is having a fine senior year leading the wayfor top junior Storm Klein. Ohio State seriously considered making anoffer to German so you have to say Bowling Green is getting a goodone.A player we have not heard the last of is Glenville lineman

Shawntel “Shaq” Rowell. He is reportedly in the 300-pound range. Ifhe can hold that weight through the end of the year, I think it getsinteresting with him. With his weight under control I think he is amuch underrated player.Remember Youngstown Ursuline’s Harold Coates, too. He has

grade issues but is in the ball park. He and Pead both, along withRowell, could bring a little excitement to Ohio recruiting in January.With so many early verbals in this class, the sprint to signing day willlook more like a leisurely jog.Stay tuned for the January 2008 edition of Ohio High where we will

update the top 100 rankings for the Class of 2008 in anticipation ofsigning day (Feb. 6). — OH

Rank Name Ht. Wt. Pos. School/Verbal1. Mike Adams 6-8 305 OL Dublin Coffman/Ohio State2. DeVoe Torrence 6-2 215 RB Massillon Washington/Ohio State3. Cordale Scott 6-4 200 ATH Cleveland Glenville4. DeVier Posey 6-3 180 WR Cincinnati LaSalle/Ohio State5. Jake Stoneburner 6-6 223 TE/WR Dublin Coffman/Ohio State6. Kyle Rudolph 6-7 220 TE Cincinnati Elder/Notre Dame7. Nathan Williams 6-4 235 DE/LB WCH Miami Trace/Ohio State8. Brandon Moore 6-6 230 TE Trotwood-Madison/Michigan9. Dan McCarthy 6-1 190 S Youngstown Mooney/Notre Dame10. Isaiah Pead 5-11 175 Ath Columbus Eastmoor Academy11. Kevin Koger 6-4 235 DE/TE Toledo Whitmer/Michigan12. Zebrie Sanders 6-6 273 OL Clayton Northmont13. Elliott Mealer 6-6 280 OL Wauseon/Michigan14. Michael Shaw 5-11 185 Ath Trotwood-Madison/Penn State15. Brandon Beachum 5-11 220 LB/RB Youngstown Mooney/Penn State16. Justin Staples 6-3 220 LB Lakewood St. Edward/Illinois17. Harold Coates 6-3 315 OL Youngstown Ursuline18. Shawntel Rowell 6-4 320 DT Cleveland Glenville19. Johnny Adams 5-11 170 CB/WR Akron Buchtel/Michigan State20. Anthony Allen 6-1 185 RB Toledo Whitmer21. Nic DiLillo 6-5 220 TE Madison/Ohio State22. Taylor Hill 6-2 200 DE/LB Youngstown Mooney/Nebraska23. Michael Zordich 6-1 210 LB Youngstown Mooney/Penn State24. Kenny Stafford 6-3 175 WR Columbus DeSales25. Roy Roundtree 6-2 170 WR Trotwood-Madison/Purdue26. Domonick Britt 6-5 190 QB Trotwood-Madison/Cincinnati27. D.J. Woods 6-0 175 WR Strongsville/Nebraska28. B.J. Machen 6-1 210 LB Hilliard Darby/Georgia Tech29. Douglas Rippy 6-2 215 OLB/DE Trotwood-Madison/Nebraska30. Donnie Fletcher 6-0 170 CB/WR Cleveland Glenville

Class of 2008 Updated Top 30

STORY BY DUANE LONG

Photo by Stephanie Porter

MassillonWashington seniorand Ohio Staterecruit DeVoe


ESPN Top 150

he state of Ohio is represented – somewhat, at least – in thelatest edition of The ESPN 150.The Buckeye state has five players listed in ESPN.com’s

survey of the nation’s top 150 football prospects.Ohio prospects listed in the national top 150 include:

* Trotwood-Madison tight end Brandon Moore. The 6-6, 230-poundMoore is the top Ohio prospect on the ESPN list. He is rated No. 67overall nationally. Moore issued a verbal commitment to Michigan inthe spring.* Dublin Coffman offensive tackle Mike Adams. The 6-8, 305-pound

Adams checks in at No. 86 overall nationally. He had offers from anumber of top schools across the country before verbaling to OhioState last spring. As of press time, Adams had helped Coffman towins in their first six games this season.* Cincinnati Elder tight end Kyle Rudolph. The 6-7, 220-pound

Rudolph is rated No. 103 overall nationally. He issued an early verbalcommitment to Notre Dame.* Dublin Coffman wide receiver Jake Stoneburner. The 6-6, 223-

pound Stoneburner is ranked No. 105 overall nationally. Through histeam’s 6-0 start, Stoneburner had seven touchdowns among his 31catches. He verbaled to Ohio State in the spring.* Massillon Washington running back DeVoe Torrence. The 6-2,

215-pound Torrence is rated No. 115 overall nationally. He has beena big hit at Massillon this fall after transferring from Canton South.Torrence had 713 yards and seven touchdowns rushing in his firstfive games at Massillon.In terms of which schools are off to a fast start in the 2008 recruit-

ing race, it looks like everybody will be chasing Miami (Fla.). TheHurricanes, led by first-year coach Randy Shannon, have 11 commit-ments from members of The ESPN 150.Texas is next with eight top-150 verbals. Notre Dame and USC

each have seven top-150 commitments. Six schools check in with sixnational top-150 verbals. They are Clemson, Florida State, Georgia,Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State.Three of Ohio State’s six top-150 verbals are from within the state

with Adams, Stoneburner and Torrence. OSU also has top-150 com-mitments from Florida offensive lineman Michael Brewster (No. 29overall), Texas offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts (No. 43) andPennsylvania linebacker Andrew Sweat (No. 45).The entire top 150 list is published in the graphic. Seniors in the

class of 2008 will sign letters-of-intent for their college choices onnational signing day, Feb. 6. — OH

T

Rank Name Pos. State Grade Verbal1 Julio Jones WR AL 95 None2 Will Hill ATH NJ 93 Florida3 Terrelle Pryor QB PA 93 None4 Jermie Calhoun RB TX 92 Oklahoma5 A.J. Green WR SC 91 Georgia6 Arthur Brown ILB KS 90 None7 Darrell Scott RB CA 89 None8 Patrick Johnson CB FL 89 Miami (Fla.)9 DaQuan Bowers DT SC 88 Clemson10 Blaine Gabbert QB MO 88 Nebraska11 Dee Finley S AL 88 Florida12 E.J. Manuel QB VA 87 Florida State13 R.J. Washington DE TX 87 Oklahoma14 Dayne Crist QB CA 86 Notre Dame15 Jamie Harper RB FL 86 None16 Brice Butler WR GA 86 USC17 ChanceyAghayere DE TX 85 None18 Deion Walker WR VA 85 None19 Etienne Sabino ILB FL 85 None20 T.J. Bryant CB FL 84 None21 Burton Scott ATH AL 84 Alabama22 Tyler Love OT AL 84 Alabama23 Brandon Barnes ATH NC 84 N.C. State24 Joe Adams ATH AR 84 USC25 Dan Buckner WR TX 84 Texas26 Jonathan Baldwin TE PA 83 None27 Ryan Williams RB VA 83 None28 Marcus Forston DT FL 83 Miami (Fla.)29 Michael Brewster OT FL 83 Ohio State30 Brandon Harris CB FL 83 None31 Courtney Upshaw DE AL 83 Alabama32 Josh Jarboe WR GA 83 None33 Landry Jones QB NM 83 Oklahoma34 Richard Samuel RB GA 83 Georgia35 Omar Hunter DT GA 83 Notre Dame36 Charles Whitlock CB SC 83 None37 Jarvis Humphrey DT TX 83 Texas38 Spencer Adams S NC 83 None39 William Green DE AL 83 None40 Mike Floyd WR MN 83 None41 Kye Staley RB OK 83 Okla. State42 Deangelo Tyson DT GA 83 Georgia43 J.B. Shugarts OT TX 83 Ohio State44 Jermaine Thomas ATH FL 83 Florida State45 Andrew Sweat ILB PA 83 Ohio State46 Andre Ellington RB SC 82 Clemson47 De'Anthony Curtis RB AR 82 Arkansas48 Jon Major ILB CO 82 None49 T.J. Lawrence ATH FL 82 None50 Carlton Thomas RB FL 82 None

Five Ohio prospectsincluded on ESPN’snational top-150 list


ESPN Top 150

Rank Name Pos. State Grade Verbal51 Nick Crissman QB CA 82 UCLA52 Ramon Buchanan OLB FL 82 Miami (Fla.)53 Antoine Hicks ATH TX 82 Texas54 Cyrus Gray RB TX 82 None55 Michael Mauti ILB LA 82 Penn State56 Jamoris Slaughter S GA 82 Notre Dame57 D.J. Shoemate ATH CA 82 USC58 Aundre Dean RB TX 82 UCLA59 Mike Glennon QB VA 82 N.C. State60 Lerentee McCray OLB FL 82 Miami (Fla.)61 Nigel Bradham ILB FL 82 Florida State62 Dwayne Allen TE NC 82 Georgia63 Darryl Stonum WR TX 82 Michigan64 Keanon Cooper OLB TX 82 None65 Chris Tolliver WR LA 82 None66 E.J. Woods S CA 82 UCLA67 Brandon Moore TE OH 82 Michigan68 Xavier Brewer CB FL 82 Clemson69 Kavario Middleton TE WA 82 None70 Anthony Dye CB CA 82 UCLA71 Brandon Thompson DT GA 82 None72 Davon Johnson WR FL 82 Miami (Fla.)73 Karnell Hatcher S FL 82 None74 Jameel Owens WR OK 82 None75 David Snow OG TX 82 Texas76 Andrew Luck QB TX 82 Stanford77 Antoine McClain OT AL 82 None78 Nigel Carr OLB FL 82 Florida State79 Braden Hanson QB NC 82 North Carolina80 DeSean Hales ATH TX 82 Texas81 Aldarius Johnson WR FL 82 Miami (Fla.)82 Jordan Futch OLB FL 82 Miami (Fla.)83 Matt Kalil OT CA 82 USC84 Ethan Johnson DE OR 82 Notre Dame85 Blake Ayles TE CA 82 USC86 Mike Adams OT OH 82 Ohio State87 Rod Wilks WR TN 82 Tennessee88 Stephen Good OT TX 82 Oklahoma89 Jonas Gray RB MI 82 Nebraska90 Taylor Cook QB TX 82 Miami (Fla.)91 Terrance Parks CB GA 81 Florida State92 Marcus Robinson OLB FL 81 Miami (Fla.)93 Derrick Hall ATH TX 81 Texas A&M94 Daniel Franklin ILB GA 81 Oklahoma95 Charles Mitchell ATH MS 81 None96 Darius Fleming DE IL 81 Notre Dame97 Kendall Wright ATH TX 81 None98 Sam McGuffie RB TX 81 Michigan99 Tyler Edwards TE LA 81 None100 Emmanuel Acho OLB TX 81 Texas

Rank Name Pos. State Grade Verbal101 Shayne Hale ILB PA 81 None102 C.J. Holton S FL 81 Florida State103 Kyle Rudolph TE OH 81 Notre Dame104 Jordan Fields CB TX 81 Texas A&M105 Jake Stoneburner TE OH 81 Ohio State106 Kyle Parker QB FL 81 Clemson107 Chris Burns RB PA 81 Pittsburgh108 ChristianWilson OLB PA 81 Michigan109 Matthew Patchan OT FL 81 None110 Nolan Brewster OLB CO 81 Texas111 Steve Filer ILB IL 81 Notre Dame112 Jeff Demps ATH FL 81 None113 Dann O'Neill OT MI 81 Michigan114 Baker Steinkuhler OT NE 81 Nebraska115 DeVoe Torrence ATH OH 81 Ohio State116 Gerell Robinson S AZ 81 Arizona117 MarQueis Gray QB IN 81 None118 Matt Meyer OT CA 81 USC119 Uona Kaveinga ILB CA 81 UCLA120 Kyle Long OT VA 81 None121 Luke Nix OT PA 81 Pittsburgh122 Allen Carroll OG CA 81 None123 Justin Johnson RB TX 81 Oklahoma124 Tyron Smith OT CA 81 USC125 Patrick Nixon CB FL 81 Illinois126 Sean Spence OLB FL 81 Miami (Fla.)127 Toby Jackson DE GA 81 Georgia128 Brendan Beal ILB PA 81 None129 Kenny Tate WR MD 81 None130 Travis Howard CB FL 81 None131 Cameron Demps CB GA 81 Virginia Tech132 Dravannti Johnson OLB TX 80 Texas133 Kenneth Page OG SC 80 None134 Kerry Boykins WR VA 80 Maryland135 A.J. Harmon OG GA 80 Clemson136 Thearon Collier WR FL 80 Miami (Fla.)137 Neiko Lipscomb ATH GA 80 None138 J.B. Fitzgerald OLB NJ 80 Michigan139 Templeton Hardy DT MS 80 Miss. State140 Jeremy Brown CB FL 80 Florida141 Chris Jackson ATH GA 80 Georgia Tech142 Travis Benjamin WR FL 80 None143 Mike Goodman OT FL 80 None144 Khaled Holmes OG CA 80 None145 Tavarres King WR GA 80 Georgia146 Eric Smith RB FL 80 None147 Tyler Westphal DE WI 80 Wisconsin148 Tarik Rollins OLB FL 80 Clemson149 Chris Harper ATH KS 80 None150 Vaughn Dotsy OG CA 80 None


STORY BY STEVE HELWAGEN


Duane Long ’s Updated Juniors

e are seeing more early verbalcommitments with each passingyear. Players are exposed to theprocess so much earlier now. Itseems for every player that is

unsure of what he wants to do, or who wantsto enjoy the process, there is another who isabsolutely sure about his top school orschools and as soon as offers come in theysee no reason to wait.Others tire of the process and decide so

they can focus on their senior year of footballand enjoy their last carefree year of highschool. That leaves recruiting nuts like our-selves with nothing to do but look at theyounger players. In Ohio, there is a feast forthose of us that cannot get enough recruitinginformation.It has been a good recent run in Ohio. I

have made a habit of comparing classes tothe best ever. That is not just enthusiasm orexcitement about something new. Recentclasses have deserved to be compared tothe best ever class, 2002. This one is noexception. The classes in 2006 and 2007have deserved to be compared to the bestever but fell short because of lack of diversi-ty.The 2006 class was a line heavy class on

both sides of the ball, but especially onoffense where the line class had both elitetalent and depth. The class of 2007 wasanother great offensive line class and line-backer heavy.The class of 2009 – the current crop of

high school juniors in Ohio – is seeing eliteplayers at most positions and potential eliteplayers at the positions where they have notemerged yet.We are once again looking at a linebacker

class that is as good as we have ever seen.It is better than the class of 2007 because ofthe bodies. When you look at Will Studlienfrom Sunbury Big Walnut and Storm Kleinfrom Newark Licking Valley, you see playersthat are legitimately 6-3 and 220 pounds.Klein got an early offer from Ohio State and,on Oct. 14, he issued a verbal commitmentto the Buckeyes.The biggest and most physical is 6-1, 235-

pound Julius Ferrell from YoungstownLiberty. He may be a defensive end by thetime he steps on a college football field butfor now he is a linebacker, and one of thebest in the state.I have Youngstown Ursuline’s Derrell

Mason as a running back but there are somewho think he is a linebacker, and a fewbelieve he is the best linebacker in the class.He injured his knee in Week 4, but should befine by the time camps roll around.Another name to remember is

Steubenville’s Bronko Busic. He has all thetools to be a great one at the next level. Donot forget him. We have seen some greatteams coming out of Steubenville recently.Now we are seeing some elite players.

There are some elite skill players in nextyear’s class. That discussion starts withPainesville Harvey wide receiver/cornerbackChris Fields. Fields, who had 24 catches inhis team’s first five games, has that explo-siveness that can turn a game on one touchof the ball. Where he plays in college is theonly question. I want a player with this kindof skill to touch the ball as much as possibleso I play him on offense.There are several other receivers in this

class that make it the best group outside ofthe linebackers. Youngstown Ursuline hasfound their mojo again under coach DanReardon. Everyone is talking about DerrellMason but another Derrell, wide receiverDerrell Peterman, is drawing comparisons toChris Fields. He is a lightning quick playerwith a gear that few can match.Shaker Heights has a slot receiver named

Perez Ashford that would be getting a lotmore buzz of not for Fields and Peterman.Ashford had 31 grabs and six touchdowns inhis team’s first five games. All three of theseplayers are great looking slot receiverprospects.The big wide receivers are the most

intriguing. Cincinnati Elder’s Josh Jones (18catches in first five games) is a good 40-yardtime away from being on everyone’s wantlist. So is Akron Coventry’s Jeff Walker, whois another receiver showing skills and athleti-cism that you don’t see in many athletes inthe 6-3 range.Of course, if Warren Harding’s Desmar

Jackson comes to his senses and realizes hehas a better future in football than basketball,he will jump to the top of this receiver class.Speaking of coming to his senses, we

have news that Trotwood-Madison’s ChrisFreeman has done just that. He made it ontothe football field for the second half of theyear. At 6-9 and 300 pounds, he is athleticenough to be a possible scholarship player inbasketball. That speaks volumes about whatkind of athlete he is. By the time it matters hecould be the best offensive line prospect inthe class.Right now that title belongs to Cleveland

Glenville’s Marcus Hall. He is looking like a

W

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney defensivetackle John Simon gets the early nod as theNo. 1 recruit in the Class of 2009.

Photo by Stephanie Porter


Duane Long ’s Updated Juniors

sure Big Four recruit. (The Big Four, for theuninitiated is Ohio State, Michigan, PennState and Notre Dame.)Westerville South’s Ricky Harris also

appears to be in this class. Harris is so agilehe is now playing defense for the Wildcats. Ihave only seen a little of him but from what Ihave seen I want to see more of CuyahogaFalls Walsh Jesuit’s Pat McShane.Running back has a number of players

who I am looking at to take it to the nextlevel. I am seeing four-star kids, but onlyDerrell Mason is a sure five-star player.Massillon Washington’s Justin Turner lookslike a great back to me. He is just lackingreps since super senior DeVoe Torrencemoved into the Massillon program. Otherssee Turner as an elite safety. All of us agreeon one thing. He is elite.Austintown-Fitch’s Sylvester Gibbs looks

like the most likely to break into that five-starrealm. Dante Marsch from Warren Howlandis another running back I am high on.Fitzgerald Toussiant reminds me a lot of for-mer Columbus Brookhaven standout MauriceHall. He has the kind of speed that will haverecruiters knocking on his door whether it be

as a running back or to move him some-where else like cornerback or as a slotreceiver.Staying on offense, the one biggest name

to emerge is Cleveland South’s DevontaePayne.Payne goes 6-6 and 240 pounds with a

fine arm and good mobility. As a sophomore,he threw for 1,276 yards with 17 touchdownsagainst just three interceptions. He could bethe highest rated high school quarterbackfrom Ohio since Justin Zwick. If he continueshis development, I could see him potentiallybeing the best since Art Schlichter. He hasalready been down to see Ohio State. I amvery excited about what kind of player he canbe.On the defensive side of the ball, one

name stands out above them all: YoungstownMooney defensive tackle John Simon. Simonalready has an Ohio State offer. Defensivetackle is one of those positions that is so diffi-cult to recruit. A player of this caliber is goingto have his pick of schools. If Ohio High wasgoing to come out with its top 100 right nowfor the class of 2009, Simon would be theNo. 1 player.

As for defensive linemen other than Simon,it is a wait-and-see proposition right now.Cornelius Carradine from Cincinnati Taftsounds like he could be the next Ben Martinbut I have not been able to get my hands ontape. Canal Winchester World Harvest Prepdefensive end Trae Tiller has put up someimpressive numbers but I am still waiting ontape. The same with Portsmouth’s NateCadogan and Cincinnati Winton Woodsdefensive end Antony Talbert. They are acouple of other players I am awaiting tapeon.Still another possible elite defensive end

who has yet to be seen is Garfield Heights’Melvin Fellows. If any of them live up to theirheadlines, we are looking at a player thatwould be at least a four-star and maybe afive-star player. Coldwater’s Adam Homan isa great looking high school linebacker. I thinkhe could outgrow the position. I will look athim as a defensive lineman for right now.In the defensive backfield three names

stand out. They are safeties Denicos Allenfrom Hamilton and Gannon Hulea fromPoland Seminary and corner C.J. Barnett ofClayton Northmont. — OH

STORY BY DUANE LONG


Spr ingf ie ld Cathol ic Central

Wagner (left)and Latham are

two of the school’s top players everin their respective sports. Ph

oto

byNi

ckFa

lzera

no

Success


Spr ingf ie ld Cathol ic CentralSTORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

teve DeWitt and Shane Latham areexperts on the football and boys soc-cer programs at Springfield CatholicCentral High School. DeWitt hascoached the Irish football team for 30

years, while Latham has led the boys soccerprogram for 22.During that span, both have coached

teams to state finals and had multiple All-Ohioans. The two though have never been inthe midst of a season quite like this one – atleast together.Heading into the final stretches of their

respective regular seasons, SCC was rankedNo. 1 in the state in football in Division VIand No. 2 in soccer in D-III. The Irish have apool of less than 100 boys in grades 9-12 topull from.“I think the size factor is the biggest ele-

ment of (what makes that shocking),” DeWittsaid. “We’ve only got 90 boys that we haveto share in both programs. I truly wish thesports were at different times of the year sowe could see what kind of turnout we’d get.”The opposition isn’t interested in finding

that out. Its hands are full as is.“The Fall is very exciting here,” SCC senior

football standout Brian Wagner said. “Thesoccer team always says how good they areand we say how good we are. This year itseems like everything is going right for bothof us.”Wagner has had a large say in the football

team’s success, as has senior Stefan Lathamin boys soccer. The tandem has separatedthemselves and their teams from most othersthis season and historically.Wagner is a four-year starter in football

who has put together four straight 1,000 yardrushing seasons. He’s been a leader bothoffensively and defensively, starring as full-back and linebacker.“Brian has been a starter since the second

half of the first game his freshman season,”DeWitt said. “He’s engineered himself intothe position he’s in today. None of theaccomplishments Brian has have come easy.Brian has sacrificed for everything he’s got.”Wagner got a head start on football in

kindergarten when he joined the GreenonWee Knights program a year early thanks tosome clerical mistakes with his birth date.Since then he’s been playing like a veteran.During his first three years on varsity,

Wagner helped the Irish to three postseasonberths. Each time SCC has gone 1-1, losingto Dola Hardin Northern twice and MarionLocal once. Both those teams are absentfrom Region 24 this season.“We have a lot of senior leadership and I

think this year is something special,” Wagnersaid. “We overcame a big obstacle when webeat Mechanicsburg (in Week 4). We all real-

ly want to accomplish something that’s neverhappened here before and we’re hungry togo really deep in the playoffs.”DeWitt led the Irish to the 1991 D-IV state

final, where they finished runner-up toWarren JFK. A return trip to Stark County isnot out of the question. With Wagner spear-heading both sides of the ball, SCC (7-0)was averaging 42.5 points per game throughWeek 7. It had allowed 33 points total.“We’ve got a once in a lifetime-type of

chemistry that’s going on right now and a lotof that centers around Brian,” DeWitt said.“Besides Brian, though, we’ve got a greatgroup of kids that are working their hind-endsoff here.”The opposition has had to work double-

time to slow down Wagner and often thatisn’t nearly enough. Through seven weeksWagner had 1,304 yards and 19 TDs.Defensively he had 74 tackles, 12 sacks and23 tackles-for-loss.For his career Wagner has rushed for

5,561 yards and 73 TDs. His place amongSCC’s all-time greats is already established.He’s receiving interest from Purdue, Indiana,Miami, Ohio, Akron and Central Michigan.“Of all the running backs we’ve ever

worked with, Brian is the best, and we’ve hadsome good ones,” DeWitt said. “Our offensehas depended on fullbacks for years, butnow when we run some spread and stillsome smash mouth stuff stubbornly, Brian isthe perfect candidate for both spots becauseof his visibility and ability to hit the hole.“It’s that dynamic of acceleration and his

ability to side-step that set him apart. I mean

he could win Dancing with the Stars or somecompetition like that.”Wagner would settle for winning a state

title – as would Stefan Latham.What Wagner is to the football team,

Latham is to a talented soccer squad.With 11 seniors on the roster, the Irish are

thinking this may be the year they win theschool’s second state title. SCC was the D-IIIstate champion in 2001.“I think this team compares favorably to

most of the teams that we’ve had here, butthe team in 2001 that won the state champi-onship was a team apart from any otherteam I’ve had,” Shane Latham said. “Theywere a dominant team that year and they areprobably the best team that has ever won theD-III state title in my mind. This team doesn’tcompare to that team, but then again, noother team in the state does either. This is avery strong team.”The coach’s son is a pretty tough player.A first team All-Ohio selection last season,

Latham owns SCC school records for goalsin a season (38) and career (108). He’s alsothe school’s all-time leader in assists (61)and needs just two more this year to set thesingle-season record (20).“He’s probably in the Top 10 players we’ve

ever had here,” Shane Latham said. “I would-n’t say he is the best player overall becausewe’ve had some good ones like Brent Rohrerwho played at Ohio State all four years andJoe Hall (Dayton). But obviously in statisticshe’s No. 1.”Latham started as a freshman and had 22

goals and nine assists that season. He fol-lowed with 27 goals and 15 assists as asophomore and 38 goals and 17 assists lastseason. This year through 15 games, Lathamhad 21 goals and 20 assists.“The initial and main goal has always been

to win state,” Stefan Latham said. “If I don’tscore and we win state that’s fine with me.But having those records is an added bonusand a goal that I set for myself.”SCC’s overall goal this fall is two add two

state championship trophies to an alreadyimpressive case. The feat – a soccer andfootball title in the same year – has neverbeen done before.Of course, up until this year, a season of

this magnitude at SCC hadn’t either.“It would be awesome if we both won

state,” Stefan Latham said. “Both of us hav-ing great seasons is good for the wholeschool.”Said DeWitt: “We’ve had a good enough

relationship between both of the programsthat one doesn’t need to worry about theother.“It’s been great to be able to share this

success with them.” — OH

S Record Setters

Brian Wagner2004: Rushing 1,221 yards, 16 TDs, 20 total TD’s2005: Rushing 1,348, 17TDs, 18 total TDs2006: Rushing 1,685 yards, 21TDs, 22 total TDs2007: (Seven games) Rushing 1,304 yards, 19TDs2007: (Seven games) 74 tackles 12 sacks, 23 TFL

Stefan Latham2004: 22 Goals, 9 assists2005: 27 Goals, 15 assists2006: 38 Goals, 17 assists2007: 21 Goals, 20 assists (through 10/1/07)SScchhooooll RReeccoorrddssSingle season goals – 38Career goals – 108 (through 10/1/07)Career assists – 61 (through 10/1/07)


Boys Basketbal l Prev iew

North College Hillbecame the third

school in state history to win three straightstate titles last year.


Three-peat


Boys Basketbal l Prev iew STORY BY OH IO H IGH STAFF

incinnati Withrow coach Walt McBride can remember his team’sseason-ending loss to Cincinnati St. Xavier in a March regionalfinal so vividly that the pain and disappointment seep into his

voice. After his team took a one-point lead, St. X’s Walt Gibler foundteammate Mike Budde for a press-beating layup and an eventual 51-48 win that punched a ticket to Columbus.“They had to go the full length of the floor in the final seven sec-

onds,” McBride lamented. “I told them to stay with their man, but wejumped in front of him and gave up a layup.”That play illustrates as well as any the fine line between glory and

bitter disappointment in Ohio Division I basketball. St. X went on to animprobable state title game appearance and Withrow now joins theranks of the very hungry for 2007-08.Southwest Ohio again looks like a meat grinder but there are high-

caliber teams in central Ohio, in various parts of the northeast and, ofcourse, the Toledo area. The chase for Cincinnati Moeller’s crownappears furious and wide open.

Top Players* Delvon Roe, 6-8, Sr., F, Lakewood St. Edward – Roe simply

continues to get better and better. A highly active, left-handed for-ward, he can make plays all over the court and dominates the back-boards for one of Ohio’s top teams. Averaged 22.0 points and 8.0rebounds per game as a junior, earning first-team All-Ohio honors.* Yancy Gates, 6-8, Sr., F, Cincinnati Withrow – Gates was terrif-

ic at Withrow after transferring across town from Cincinnati Hughes,putting up 19.4 ppg. A secondteam all-state pick.* Kenny Frease, 7-0, Sr.,

C, Massillon Perry – The toptrue big man in the state nowthat Kosta Koufos is aBuckeye, Frease is becominga consistent force. Averaged14.5 ppg and was named tothe All-Ohio third team.* Jared Sullinger, 6-8,

Soph., F/C, ColumbusNorthland – The son ofNorthland coach SatchSullinger and younger brotherto ex-Buckeye J.J. and KentState forward Julian, Jared isone of the most promisingyoung talents in the Midwestand already is committed toOhio State. He was honor-able mention all-state as afrosh.* Chris Johnson, 6-5, Sr.,

WF, Columbus Brookhaven– Reliable performer who pro-duced averages of 24.4 ppg and 13.2 rpg last season. Second teamAll-Ohio.

* Bill Edwards, 6-5, Jr, G/F, Middletown – Wing who averaged13.0 ppg and sometimes was asked to play as a lead guard as asophomore. Father of the same name was a star at Wright State.

Teams To WatchHere are some of the key contenders in Division I:* Cincinnati Withrow – Why not the Tigers?They will play perhaps the toughest schedule of any team in the

state but they also may be as good as anybody when it comes downto tourney time.“I love our depth,” McBride said. “With this group going as deep as

it has been in the tournament in years, now they have that confidencein tournament play. And there’s nothing like the real show.”Withrow was 17-7 last season but proved ready for the postseason.

McBride has put together another rough schedule to see if it will payoff even more this time.The Tigers certainly return lots of talent and experience beginning

with Gates, a hulking power forward who can hurt defenses all theway out to the arc.“I’m comfortable with him facing the basket,” McBride said. “I

wouldn’t say he’s got a green light on threes but if they are goodthrees he can take them.”Withrow returns another key senior in 6-2 point guard Anthony

McBride – the coach’s nephew – as well as 6-4 guard Ron Braceyand 5-11 backup PG Ryan Maupin. Also, the team welcomes in a pairof talented transfers from Cincinnati Woodward in 6-2 shooting guardTroy Long and 6-4 power forward Chris Grimes. Meanwhile, 6-3guard Josh Rogers has transferred from Purcell Marian.McBride averaged 18.5 ppg last season and Long put up 17.0 ppg

at Woodward, but they have not yet played together.“I’m not too worried about our chemistry,” second-year coach Walt

McBride said, “because basically with our kids they all want to win.So after the first loss or whatever they’ll mesh together and they’ll fig-ure it out.”* Columbus Northland – The Vikings are, in a word, loaded. They

feature two of the top players in the area and among the best in theirclass in the state in the 6-8 Sullinger and 6-4 senior guard DevonMoore.Jared is explosive and multi-talented, which explains why he

already has been offered – and accepted – a scholarship from OhioState. Moore, the team’s leading returning scorer at 16.5 ppg, playsequally well off or with the ball and sets up teammates as effectivelyas he produces his own offense.“He’s our creator,” Satch Sullinger said of the long-armed Moore,

who currently is contemplating offers from Kent State, Toledo andBowling Green. “He has the ability to make people around him better.I tell our bigs all the time to run the floor because he rewards you.”Moore and classmate Ian Nixson, a 5-10 point guard Sullinger

called the player who improved the most over the summer, will haveplenty of big bodies to find, including 6-6 sophomore wing J.D.Weatherspoon, and tenacious inside players Javon Cornley, a 6-5junior, and Nick Turner, a 6-6 sophomore who didn’t play last year butdecided to join the fun. The depth is in place with 6-4 junior wing Dimond Hale, 5-9 fresh-

man point guard Trey Burke, and 6-6 junior power forward SamBelisle, who broke his hand last year in a JV game againstBrookhaven and had to leave – after he already had amassed 26points and 18 rebounds.Northland won city and district championships last season and

posted a gaudy 24-1 mark after losing in the regional semifinals. TheVikings look like they can dock at the state tourney if they want thisyear.

DIVISION I

Columbus Brookhaven’s ChrisJohnson was second team All-Ohiolast year after averaging 24.4 ppg.

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Big-school talent, superteams in every pocket of state



“This is the best team I’ve ever had,” Sullinger said. “On top of that,it’s not only a talented team but a group of really good kids. That’swhat makes it so special.”* Garfield Heights – Coach Sonny Johnson lost several seniors

who helped elevate the program last year as Garfield Heightsrejoined the elite of northeast Ohio with a 20-3 record. Still, theBulldogs have plenty of reasons for optimism.They start with 6-5 guard/forward Robert Wilson, an athletic and

tough performer who should be a perfect fit next year at Wisconsin.Wilson averaged 15.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg last season. He’ll be joined inthe backcourt by 5-11 junior Carl Jones, who produced 16.4 ppg and4.3 assists per game as a sophomore.Johnson added even more ball handling by inserting 5-10 fresh-

man point guard Trey Lewis and also will utilize 6-3 junior Roy Brownin a variety of roles. The front line got a boost from the arrival of 6-5Paul McQueen, who transferred from Cleveland Heights LutheranEast in the summer.Still, the signature approach will be guard-oriented and applying

lots of ball pressure.“We will definitely play uptempo,” Johnson said. “We feel we have

very good guards and we want to press and get after people.”* Lakewood St. Edward – Blessed with some of the top talent in

the area, including Ohio “Mr. Basketball” frontrunner Roe, the Eagleswill want to take the next step and soar toward a state championship.St. Ed fell to eventual statechampion Cincinnati Moeller67-60 in a state semifinalgame. That loss left St. Ed at25-1 on the season.“Everybody was disap-

pointed when we went 25-0and won two national tourna-ments, but we did not win thestate,” said St. Ed coach EricFlannery. “Our goal is to winthe whole thing. We felt wehad that ability and talent, butif you don’t play a greatgame on one night you won’tbe able to do it.“We had good focus in the

off-season. We have workedhard and we will strive to getback to that point and try andwin the state championship.”Flannery welcomes back

Roe as well as three otherstarters in 6-8 senior centerTom Pritchard, 6-2 seniorpoint guard Frankie Dobbsand 6-2 sophomore shooting guard Pe’shon Howard. Pritchard, anIndiana verbal, averaged 12 points and seven rebounds a game lastyear. Dobbs averaged six points and six assists per game. Howard isa player already attracting interest from major schools.“Only being a sophomore, Pe’shon has a lot of skills,” Flannery

said. “He is very mature for sophomore. He has an ability to score.He can shoot from the perimeter and also gets the ball to the basket.As he learns how to play, the sky could be the limit.”Also back are several key reserves, including 6-6 wing Connor

Tilow, 6-4 forward Alex Sterba, 6-4 forward Justin Staples and 6-1guard Mike Hartnett.St. Ed will host Campbell (Calif.) Hall in an ESPN-televised game

Dec. 6. The Eagles will also play in national events in Myrtle Beach,

S.C., and Erie, Pa., in addition to their usual strong schedule of Ohioopponents.* Warren Harding – Few teams at the prep level can field a front

line of three players 6-5 or taller who can score, defend, rebound andrun the floor but that’s exactly what Harding has in the senior triumvi-rate of 6-8 Chris Henderson, 6-7 Damian Eargle and 6-5 ElijahJordan.Eargle is the standout after averaging 14.0 points, 10.6 rebounds

and 2.6 blocks per game, but Henderson seems like a perfect com-plement inside.“Damian already is our all-time shot-block leader and Chris is prob-

ably going to finish second in that category,” coach Steve Arnold said.“Chris is one of the best passing big men in the area and he andDamian just work so well together in there.“We like to get out and run at every opportunity and those guys are

going to trigger our fast break by sending out shots and gettingrebounds.”When they do hit high gear, the Raiders showcase a pair of highly

talented junior guards – 6-4 point Desmar Jackson and 6-2 off-guardSheldon Brogdon. Arnold said Jackson, who has take-over ability,played unselfishly with the team this summer after transferring fromWarren JFK. Brogdon, meanwhile, is instant offense.“He can flat-out score,” Arnold said. “He’s one of the best shooters

around.”With so much talent, Arnold already has addressed the bull’s-eye

that now rests on the chests of the Raiders, who were 17-6 a yearago.“We know we’re going to be hunted,” he said. “We are every year

but this year even moreso. There are high expectations.“It looks very good on paper but we have to go out and be produc-

tive. As a coaching staff we’re making sure we plant the seed that weneed to defend. If we do that, rebound and share the ball, everythingelse will take care of itself.”Harding had its 2006-07 season end with a loss to Canton

GlenOak in the district finals. Arnold has put together another brutalschedule, which includes nonconference tilts with Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Toledo Scott, Bedford, Cincinnati Withrow and MansfieldSenior.* Also Keep An Eye On – Bedford, Canton McKinley, Centerville,

Cincinnati Moeller, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Cincinnati Winton Woods,Euclid, Massillon Perry, Middletown, Newark, Toledo St. John’s.

By Jeff Rapp

Lakewood St. Edward sophomorePe’shon Howard is drawing interestfrom Ohio State, Dayton and more.

ayton Dunbar was not supposed to repeat its crown at the D-IIlevel but that’s exactly what the Wolverines did, proving theirdetermination and the true force of their program under head

coach Peter Pullen.Dunbar figures to be in the hunt once again, but this division imme-

diately got tougher with Toledo Libbey’s shift downward and there areseveral other teams that appeared primed for a big season, mostnotably Chillicothe. Plus, D-II always manages to spring some sur-prises, and sure enough there are a plethora of squads lurking in theshadows.Who will emerge? It’s anybody’s guess.

DIVISION II

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Mystery, parity surroundDivision II race

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Top Players* B.J. Mullens, 7-0, Sr., C, Canal Winchester – Mullens played

his first two varsity seasons at Canal Winchester World Harvest Prepbefore transferring to nearby Canal Winchester. He averaged 26.4points, and 14.1 rebounds per game in his first season with theIndians, earning second-team All-Ohio honors. One of the top recruitsin his class nationally, Mullens committed to Ohio State before heeven played varsity basketball.* William Buford, 6-5, Sr., G/F, Toledo Libbey – A surefire all-

state player and “Mr. Basketball” candidate, Buford has a little work todo before joining the ranks atOhio State – like try to leadhis team to a state title. Hescored a whopping 28.4 ppgand added 10 boards perouting last year and wasnamed first team All-Ohio inDivision I.* Logan Aronholt, 6-4, Sr.,

WF, Zanesville – First-teamAll-State performer last yearwho averaged 17.3 ppg.* Anthony Hitchens, 5-9,

Sr., PG, Chillicothe –Exciting point man whomakes Chillicothe go.Averaged 18.5 ppg and wasnamed second-team All-Ohio.* Josh Benson, 6-10, Sr.,

PF, Dayton Dunbar –Burgeoning star who will tryto lead Dunbar back to thetop of Division II. Alreadycommitted to Dayton.* Nick Kellogg, 6-2,

Soph., PG, ColumbusDeSales – At this rate, Kellogg could be the best player in Division Iby next year. Strong and feisty and able to make big plays.

Teams To WatchHere are some of the key contenders in Division II:* Canal Winchester – The Indians have the services of the best

big man in the state in Mullens and may have enough pieces aroundhim to reach Columbus in March.“He’s got a lot of potential and has worked hard on his game the

last year and half he’s been with us,” longtime CW coach Kent Riggssaid. “We’re excited about where we can go.“The expectations probably are a little higher now but we’ve

approached this season like the ones in the past by putting togethera good schedule against the kind of teams we’ll see as we try tomove through the tournament.”Ball handling was an issue at times last season but Canal may

have rectified that thanks to the transfer of 5-8 point guard RayNelson, a former teammate of Mullens at Canal Winchester HarvestPrep. Another senior, 5-11 Aaron Gilbert, also is back at the position. Other guards include a pair of juniors in 5-10 Wes White and 5-8

Anthony Riggs, the coach’s son who served as the sixth man lastseason. Senior Blake Erwin already is lost for the season with a kneeinjury but 6-4 Aaron Barber should be able to aid Mullens inside.Canal finished 16-7 last year and showed lots of improvement by

season’s end.“Last year we were really young and it was like starting over

because the kids had to get used to playing with B.J.,” Kent Riggssaid. “Once they did that we were pretty competitive.”* Chillicothe – The Cavaliers remember too well their 76-70 loss to

Columbus DeSales in a Division II regional championship at OhioUniversity in March. That ended their 2006-07 season a step awayfrom the state tournament and left a sour taste in the mouths of ateam that will return almost entirely intact.Head coach Gary Kellough loaded up the Cavs’ schedule to keep

them pointed toward big things again this season – and it doesn’t hurtthat he’ll boast the return of 11 of 13 letter winners from a team thatposted a record of 20-5 last year.The only departed starter is power forward Chris Gibbons, who is

now playing football at Miami (Ohio), and his most likely replacementis 6-5 Seth Dawes, a junior with previous starting experience. Alsovying for more work inside is Ronnie Smith, another 6-5 junior.The center spot is manned by 6-7 senior Ray Chambers, who is

being courted by several Division I schools. Chambers averaged rightaround 17 points per game and a like number of boards last season.“He’s a rebounding machine,” Kellough said.The Cavs have good skill on the wing and in the backcourt. Stu

Beverly, a 6-2 senior will return to the three position and CalbeKnight, a 6-2 junior, should be ready to take flight at off-guard. Knightis another D-1 recruit in basketball – if he doesn’t decide to playquarterback at the next level.The point guard spot is in the able hands of Hitchens, a senior who

answers to the nickname “Humpty” and one of the most revered play-ers in program history. The 5-10 Hitchens, who already is committedto Akron, averaged 18.5 ppg last season to lead the team in scoringfor the third straight year.“We feel really good about our experience,” Kellough said. “Last

year we were still a year away from getting to Columbus but webelieve we can get another shot at it.“We’re just like any other good team – we’ve got to keep improv-

ing, avoid injuries and make sure we’re moving forward toward ourgoal.”Chillicothe opens the season with a date with Columbus

Brookhaven.* Columbus DeSales – The Stallions enter this season with

hunger pangs since their magical run through last year’s tournamentended with a dramatic 58-56 loss to Wooster Triway in a state semifi-nal match-up. The defeat left DeSales with a final mark of 22-4.Also, the team had to part ways with three players who went on to

the college ranks – Alex Kellogg (Providence), Elijah Allen (NorthwestMissouri State) and Dane Johnson (Western Oregon) – and five otherseniors.“The makeup of our team is different,” coach Blair Albright said.

“We’re going to have to work really hard, if not harder, but our guysare set to prove they can play, too.”Nick, the younger, Kellogg, will lock down the point guard duties

and keep everyone involved and enthused.“He’s a competitive monster,” Albright said. “and that’s a good thing

because there is a lot on his shoulders for us to be successful.”Kellogg will reunite with three other returning starters – 6-0 junior

off-guard Zak Gabarcik, 6-3 junior wing Nick Goff and 7-1 senior cen-ter Sean Hobbs. The X-factor is new power forward Ike Ariguzo, a 6-5 junior who can make athletic plays on both ends of the floor.“We should be a four-out, one-in (offense) with Sean getting more

touches inside,” Albright said. “It’ll be interesting to see how weevolve, but I really like this group.”* Dayton Dunbar – Dunbar had lots to celebrate in the way of

hoops last spring and summer as the Wolverines repeated asDivision II state champs and favorite son Daequan Cook helped theBuckeyes to the Final Four and became a first-round draft pick of the

Columbus DeSales sophomore NickKellogg is quickly becoming one ofthe state’s top players.

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NBA.And the cupboard is not bare this year.Pullen has a centerpiece in the lanky and talented Benson, who fig-

ures to only build on last season.“We really hope what he showed at state by being MVP and play-

ing well that his maturity lighthas turned on,” longtimeDunbar assistant coach AlPowell said. “He’s the nucle-us to our team and he’s work-ing hard.”Unfortunately for the

Wolves, Anthony Oden, theyounger brother of formerOhio State star Greg Oden,has returned to Indianapolisand will not play his seniorseason at Dunbar. The 6-9Oden is a board eater whocould have taken some pres-sure off of Benson.Still, the Wolverines have a

rising talent in 6-6 power for-ward Derion Brandon andcan shuffle sophomoresDevon Carter and DeonStewart at wing forward.The backcourt has lost

great players like Cook in thelast couple years but Dunbarhas a pair of guards who aretourney-tested in 6-1 Keith Rakestraw and 6-2 Harvey Stewart.Rakestraw averaged 16 ppg during the postseason run in March.Powell said the coaches also believe they can get instant energy

from 5-7 point guard Keith Winn, a shooter and jet-quick player in theopen floor.“What people don’t realize is we actually bring back four solid kids

who had solid numbers last year,” Powell said. “No disrespect to thesouthwest Ohio region but we feel like we still can contend.”Dunbar again will take on one of the most challenging slates in the

state by tangling with the likes of Columbus Brookhaven, Chillicothe,Columbus Northland, Chaminade-Julienne, Akron Buchtel, BerlinHiland and Lexington (Ky.) Dunbar.*Toledo Libbey – Buford is not all Libbey possesses. In fact, fellow

seniors Julius Wells and Brad Sandridge are talented in their ownright and just as anxious to help the Cowboys ride high this season.Wells is a 6-5 forward and Sandridge a 6-3 guard. They are playing

to catch the eyes of college coaches this season, but mostly they areintent to combine forces with their buddy Buford one more time to seeif they can advance even deeper into the postseason.Last season, to prepare for such a possible run, coach Leroy

Bates’ team played no less than 10 games on neutral floors and stillcame away with a 21-2 record.“That motivated us and made us more hungry to win,” Sandridge

told The (Toledo) Blade last winter. “We want to get to state. We havethe weapons to get down there. It’s just going to take discipline, a lotof discipline.”However, Libbey absorbed a 75-70 loss in the district final to

Toledo St. John’s Jesuit, a team it had beaten twice in the regularseason. Buford had 31 points, nine rebounds and four assists, but itwasn’t enough for the Cowboys to meet their goal.“This is not where we wanted to end up,” he said after the loss.

“We wanted to end up in Columbus, but sometimes it happens like

this and we've got next year. We just don't want to feel this (disap-pointment) again. We're going to try to take it all the way next year.”The program’s switch to Division II might help Libbey do just that.* Also Keep An Eye On – Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Cincinnati

Taft, Kenton, Kettering Alter, Poland Seminary, Toledo CentralCatholic, Upper Sandusky, Wooster Triway, Zanesville.

By Jeff Rapp

Dayton Dunbar senior Harvey Stewartand the Wolverines are looking forthier third straight D-II state title.

ention can’t be made of the race for the Division III state cham-pionship without North College Hill leading the discussion. Thelast three years the Trojans have led in the state title game at

the buzzer.NCH goes for its fourth straight state championship this season,

which is something no Ohio school has ever done. Columbus Wehrle(1988-90), Dayton Stivers (1928-30) and NCH have won threestraight. Thirteen schools have won back-to-back titles.As unrealistic as it sounded with the departure of O.J. Mayo and Bill

Walker before the 2006-07 season, it’s no longer unrealistic to thinkthe Trojans can’t win again. Senior guard Damon Butler is one of thestate’s top players regardless of division and Alfonso McPherson is apresence in the post.Look for the Trojans to get pushed hard by Cleveland Villa Angela-

St. Joseph. The Vikings are looking for their third straight state tourna-ment appearance and payback for a 90-73 loss to NCH in the 2006final. VASJ returns the reigning D-III player of the year in Ashen Ward.

Top Players* Ashen Ward, 6-3, Sr., G, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph –

Reigning D-III state player of the year averaged 14.7 points per gameen route to leading Vikings tosecond straight D-III statetournament.* Gene Goering, 6-3 Sr., F,

Archbold – Four-year starteraveraged 20 points last yearafter netting 19.2 as a sopho-more. Was named second-team All-Ohio last season.* J.R. Weston, 6-5, Sr., G,

Morral Ridgedale – Third-team D-IV All-Ohio last sea-son after averaging 23.5points per game. Averaged 21points as a sophomore. * Drew Spradlin, 6-5, Sr.,

F, Wheelersburg – Spradlinaveraged 18 points last yearafter netting 15.3 as a sopho-more. Had 14 points, sixrebounds and three assists instate semifinal loss to NCH.* Tyler Osterman, 6-2, Sr.,

G/F, Lemon-Monroe –Versatile player was

DIVISION III

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North College Hill, Clev. VASJamong early favorites

Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph sen-ior Ashen Ward is the reigning D-IIIplayer of the year.

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Cincinnati’s second leading scorer (behind O.J. Mayo) as a sopho-more, when he averaged 26 points. Last season, Osterman averaged20.7 points and was named the Southwest District player of the year.Was also named special mention All-Ohio as a sophomore beforeearning second-team honorslast season. Osterman is astandout quarterback.* Damon Butler, 6-0, Sr.

G, North College Hill – Starof D-III state tournament lastseason averaged 19.4 pointsen route to third-team All-Ohio honors. He averaged17.1 points per game as asophomore.* Nathanael Harney, 6-2,

Sr., F, Middletown Madison– Two-time All-Ohioan aver-aged 19.4 points per gamelast season after scoring 21.5as a sophomore. Was first-team All-Southwest District.* Tyler Gerber, 5-9, Sr., G,

Sugarcreek Garaway –Averaged 17.9 points pergame last season en route tosecond-team All-Ohio honors.* Zach Walton, 6-4, Sr., P,

Utica – Was named third-team All-Ohio after averaging18.5 points per game.* Chris Crockett, 5-10, Sr., G, Columbus Academy – Football

standout also excels on hardcourt. Averaged 23.6 points a year agoen route to earning first-team D-IV All-Ohio honors. * Scott Voiers, 6-2, Sr., G, Rocky River Lutheran West – Team’s

leading scorer a year ago was special mention All-Ohio. Has potentialto score in bunches.* Josh Kellough, 6-1, Sr., G, Chillicothe Huntington – Reigning

Scioto Valley Conference player of the year and special mention All-Ohio.* David Malone, 6-3, Sr., P, Richmond Heights – Selected first-

team D-IV All-Ohio last season after averaging 20.1 points per game.

Teams To Watch* Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph – The Vikings have made

two straight D-III state tournaments and don’t be surprised if theystretch it to three. In addition to Ward, VASJ returns Nate Barnes (5-9, Sr. G) who was their leading scorer (15 points) in last year’s statesemifinal loss to Findlay Liberty-Benton. Barnes was third-team All-Ohio. Size is not a problem for the Vikings who have senior post play-ers Klein Harper (6-7) and Dominick Hayes (6-8). Harper grabbed ateam-high 11 rebounds in last year’s state semi. Senior Brian Jenkins(5-8) and junior Scott Szczepinski (5-11) will contribute.* North College Hill – No discussion of D-III state title contenders

can be complete without mention of NCH. The Trojans are trying tobecome the eighth school to win four titles overall. Butler will chal-lenge for state player of the year honors, while 6-4 senior AlfonsoMcPherson looks to provide power in the post. McPherson scored 12points and grabbed six rebounds in the state title game a year ago.Seniors Mike Green (6-3) and Mario Ward (6-4) add experience. Lookfor sophomores Barry Cobb (5-11, G) and Angelo Pruitt (6-4, F) tomake significant contributions. Both logged extensive minutes.* Sugarcreek Garaway – The Pirates ended last season ranked

No. 6 in the final state poll before being upset by Beverly Fort Frye ina district semifinal. Garaway is now one of the favorites in Athensregional. The Pirates return of point guard Tyler Gerber who will be afour-year starter. Also backare senior Chase Stingel andjunior David Gerber (6-4). Thedifference maker could be 6-7freshman Paul Honigford.Honigford, whose father Jimplayed at Ohio State, is con-sidered one of the best fresh-man in the country. ThePirates also add 6-4 juniorColten Troyer. Troyer had tosit out his sophomore yearafter transferring from WestHolmes. He practiced with theteam last season. * Wheelersburg – The

Pirates have been to back-to-back D-III state tournaments.Spradlin returns as doesstarter Matt Jenkins (5-8, Sr.,G). Key subs last season –seniors Caleb Brown andDustin Cook – will play biggerroles this year. * Findlay Liberty-Benton –

The Eagles are coming off astate runner-up finish in D-III, but will be hard pressed to duplicatelast year’s run. Graduation hit Liberty-Benton hard. One starterreturns in sophomore Aaron Craft (6-0, G). Senior Andy Smith (6-2,W/P) is the only other returner that logged minutes in Columbus. * Rocky River Lutheran West – The Longhorns were No. 5 in final

state poll and advanced to regional final where they lost to VASJ (55-52). West had a 61-game regular season win streak snapped lastseason by Brooklyn. Voiers can light it up.

Other Teams To Watch* Archbold – The Blue Streaks have been to the state semifinals

three of the last five years. Denied a title each time. Goering is a tal-ent and difference maker.* Beverly Fort Frye – The Cadets lose Tyler Engle, but return

everyone else. Senior Derek Thompson (6-5) is one of the best play-ers in the Eastern District. He improved leaps and bounds duringAAU play. Junior Brandt Thieman will be tough for opposing teams todeal with as he can play inside and out at 6-4. Also back are return-ing starters junior Jarrod Arnold and senior Mason Lang. Junior TylerStephens should be the other starter. * Martins Ferry – The Riders will be a tough out for anybody with

6-6 sophomore Jordan Burress controlling the middle. Also back areseniors Derek Edwards and Tony Sabatino (coach’s son).* Canton Central Catholic – CCC must get through VASJ to get to

Columbus, but Eric Coggins and Nick Foster return to go along withseniors Joey Rhoades and Nate Hronec.* Chillicothe Huntington – The Huntsmen made a district final last

season before being ousted by Wheelersburg. With Kellough back,Huntington is favorite in Scioto Valley Conference.* Tuscarawas Valley – The Trojans return four players -- Jacob

Brown, Steven Spillman (6-1, Sr.), Pat Kane (6-0, Sr.) and KurtElsasser (6-2, Sr.) -- from a team that made a regional final.

By Eric Frantz

North College Hill senior DamonButler has averaged 19.4 and 17.1ppg the last two years, respectively.

Wheelersburg senior Drew Spradlinhas averaged double-figures the lasttwo years. One of two starters back.

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here are probably quite a few Division IV teams across Ohiowith March 15, 2008, circled on their calendars. And for goodreason.

Many teams have a legitimate shot of playing in the state champi-onship that day at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.Ohio’s smallest division is deep.A repeat by defending state champion Georgetown is unlikely since

the G-Men were depleted by graduation. But don’t be surprised to see2007 state tournament participants Berlin Hiland or Canal WinchesterHarvest Prep return. The additions of Hamler Patrick Henry, BedfordSt. Peter Chanel, Haviland Wayne Trace and Columbus Africentric,which were all previously in D-III, strengthen an already solidstatewide field.It’s highly likely the eventual state champion could come from who-

ever survives the Northwest District, which is by far the state’s tough-est with Ada, Toledo Christian, Wayne Trace, Van Buren, NewKnoxville, Patrick Henry and Plymouth.

Top Players* Tyler Tucci, 6-1, Jr., W, Malvern – First-team All-Ohio last sea-

son after averaging 20.3 points per game. Averaged 14.3 points as afreshman. * Tim Mapp, 6-2, Sr., Columbus Africentric – Special mention All-

Ohio after averaging 16.1 points. * Lamar McKnight, 6-5, Jr., F, Bedford St. Peter Chanel –

Talented post player averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and threeblocks last season playing against bigger division competition.* Matt Phillips, 6-4, Sr., P, Van Buren – First-team All-Northwest

District and special mention All-Ohio last season after averaging 18.3points per game.* Brian Hecker, 6-4, Jr., P, Worthington Christian – Earned third-

team All-Ohio honors last season as a sophomore after averaging18.1 points per game.* Zac Dysert, 6-3, Sr., P/W, Ada – One of state’s top quarterbacks,

Dysert earned second-team All-Ohio honors in basketball last seasonafter averaging 20.1 points per game. Has committed to Miami (Ohio)for football.* Adrian Payne, 6-8, So., C, Dayton Jefferson – Young talent

already has scholarship offers from Xavier and Dayton.

Teams To Watch* Malvern – Tucci (first-team All-Ohio) and seniors Zak Kapron

(special mention All-Ohio; 16.7 ppg) and Trevor Halter (17.2 ppg) cre-ate a formidable trio. The Hornets made a district final last seasonbefore falling to Berlin Hiland (66-63). Malvern is no doubt looking foran extended tournament run this season. * Ada – The Bulldogs have the talent to make the school’s first

state tournament appearance since 1923. Dysert is arguably the bestplayer in the Northwest District and will get plenty of support fromAndrew Cross, Kyle Baker and Nate Vermillion.* Worthington Christian – The Warriors are a threat to make first

state tournament since 2000 and win first state title since 1999. Inaddition to Hecker, WC returns talented brother duo of Tyler and ZackJoseph. Tyler, a senior, averaged 15 ppg last year, while Zack, a

sophomore, averaged 12.8 ppg.* Berlin Hiland – One of Ohio’s top small school programs year-in

and year-out, the Hawks are coming off the school’s seventh statetournament appearance. Hiland lost to Georgetown in state semis(42-41). Although the Hawks return just one starter in senior Casey

Kaufman (5-8, G), they dohave a deep and talentedsenior class (seven). Third-year head coach MarkSchlabach has plenty oftourney experience havingled two teams to state(Hiland in 2007; Loudonvillein 2005).* New Knoxville – The

Rangers went undefeated inregular season last year andwere No. 1 in final state pollbefore losing to Georgetownin regional finals. Most oflast year’s team graduated,but senior Josh Niemeyerreturns (13 ppg). Nevercount out the defendingMidwest Athletic Conferencechampion. * Canal Winchester

World Harvest Prep – TheWarriors were state runner-up last season and finished24-1 in head coach MikeThornton’s first season at

the school. Thornton previously had success at Columbus Africentric.World Harvest returns one starter in senior Dane Givner (6-0, G).Givner reached double-figures in both state games last season, whilesenior Quintin Aden (6-1, G) and junior Nehemiah Trotter (6-0, G)logged significant minutes. The Warriors were hurt with the transfer and loss of leading scorer

Remon Nelson to Canal Winchester.* Columbus Africentric – The Nubians drop down to D-IV again

where they won and had a state title stripped in 2005. Seniors Mappand Jay Meadows are one of Columbus’ top 1-2 punches.* Bedford Chanel – After dropping down from D-III, many believe

the Firebirds are a threat for a state title. Besides McKnight, Chanelalso returns juniors JoVaughn Brown (5-10, G) and Arthur Jordan (6-4, P). Brown averaged seven points, six assists and two steals lastseason, while Jordan averaged six points and six boards. Chanel hasreached six straight district finals.* Hamler Patrick Henry – The Patriots haven’t been to state tour-

nament since winning D-III state title in 1997 but could end drought.Patrick Henry’s drop down to D-IV makes the Northwest District thatmuch more difficult.

Other Teams To Watch* Plymouth – Sleeper pick who has talented sophomore in Blake

Turson (18.5 ppg). Mansfield St. Peters transfer Brandon McCauleywill boost line-up.* Shadyside – Bill Merryman led Shadyside to a state football final

last year and this season would love to duplicate the feat in basket-ball. Merryman averaged 17 ppg last season. The Tigers have thepieces to put together a memorable run. * Toledo Christian – Standout junior Ethan Michael (6-4, Jr. P)

returns after scoring 12.6 points per game.

DIVISION IV

T

State’s smallest division isarguably deepest

New Knoxville senior Josh Niemeyer(13.1 ppg) returns from last year’ssquad that went 25-1.




* Windham – Windham wrapped a 20-4 record last season with aregional semifinal loss to Berlin Hiland. Senior Phil Workman is backafter earning honorablemention All-Ohio honors.Workman averaged 17.6points per game last yearand 13.6 as a sophomore.Junior Cody Apthorpe isback as well (14 ppg).* McDonald – The Blue

Devils were ranked No. 4 infinal state poll last year andtook 24-0 record into region-als before losing semifinal toRittman.* Georgetown – Before

last season’s state title andundefeated season (27-0),the G-Men were known bestfor producing former Xavierand NBA star Brian Grant.Georgetown graduated threestarters but returns two insenior Marc Gray 5-7, G)and super sophomore JessChadwell (6-3, G). Chadwellhad a double-double (11points, 11 rebounds) in statesemifinal win over Berlin Hiland and scored 11 points in state final.* Lancaster Fisher Catholic – The Irish return four of five starters

including standout junior Luke Roesch (16 ppg).* Cleveland Heights Lutheran East – The 2005 state champion

returns senior Paul McQueen (17.4 ppg) and junior Marques Wiggins(14.3 ppg).* Van Buren – The Black Knights finished last season 22-3,

ranked No. 6 in final state poll and regional runner-up after suc-cumbing to Holgate. Phillips is a reliable centerpiece.* Holgate – The Tigers are coming off their second state tourna-

ment appearance in four years and always seem to be in thick ofpostseason chase regardless of record thanks to deliberate style ofplay. Points are at a premium against Holgate, which held opponentsto under 20 points four times last season. The Tigers return onestarter in senior Jared Clady (5-9, G). Clady had 11 points andseven rebounds in last season’s state semi loss to World Harvest.* Haviland Wayne Trace – The Raiders return Aaron Hockenberry

(15.8 ppg)* Dayton Jefferson Twp. – After a brief stint in D-III, the Broncos

drop back down to D-IV where they won a state title in 1998.Jefferson has five state tournament appearances total. Payne is nicebuilding block for team that made sectional final a year ago beforelosing 43-41 to Middletown Fenwick. Jefferson was a D-III districtfinalist in 2006.* Waterford – The Wildcats return junior D.J. Cunningham (6-8,

12 ppg) and seniors Gary Tornes (6-3, 13.2 ppg) and Derek Hoge(6-4).* Oak Hill – In his first season, head coach Norm Persin led the

Oaks to a D-III regional. Now in D-IV, what’s in store in Year 2? Keepan eye on 6-5 junior Casey Love.

By Eric Frantz

Georgetown sophomore JessChadwell is one of two returningstarters for defending state champion.

Phot

o by

Gar

y Hou

steau


Kenny Frease

assillon Perry 7-0 senior centerKenny Frease had already takenthe plunge and made his verbalcommitment to play college basket-ball at Xavier.

Accordingly, Frease had nothing more toprove this past summer. He could have optedto stay close to home and honed his skillsagainst his high school teammates.But Frease pushed himself over the sum-

mer. He played in various AAU events,attended national camps and even wentabroad with a U.S. select team to play in aReebok-sponsored event in Europe.“He has always tried to put himself up

against good competition,” Massillon Perrycoach Rob Toth said. “He has never shiedaway from any challenges.”We first caught up with Frease in June at

the NBA Players Association camp at theUniversity of Virginia. He had just returnedfrom playing overseas a few days earlier.“It was an experience, for sure,” Frease

said of the Reebok trip. “I played over therefor a week. Over there, they are so muchmore lax with their free throw situation. Whenthe shooter has the ball, you can run into thekey. Basically, as soon as the ref gave themthe ball, they were stepping in to rebound.You have somebody trying to shoot a shotand there are people standing down there infront of you. It was unbelievable.“They also played with a 24-second shot

clock and 10-minute quarters. It was fun, butwe had a tough time. We were going upagainst 19- and 20-year-old men.”Despite the jetlag associated with such a

trip, Frease did not pass up a chance toattend the NBAPA camp. There, he got point-ers from NBA greats and also matched upagainst some of the nation’s top young bigmen.“Obviously, it’s a great experience,” Frease

said. “You get to learn some of the differenttricks and different moves they know. It’s real-ly cool to work with any NBA player.“Whenever you can get all of the players

together – whether they are Nike, Reebok orAdidas – you don’t usually get a chance toplay against them. I was a Nike guy on a Niketeam, so I did not normally get to play againstguys from the Reebok or Adidas teams. That

makes the competition much better.”College coaches have known about Frease

for a few years. He became a member of Perry’s varsity

team as a freshman. The last two seasons,he has earned third-team All-Ohio honors inDivision I. As a sophomore, he averaged 18.6points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shotsper game. Last year, he battled injuries andaveraged 14.5 points per game.“He has really come a long way since his

freshman year,” Toth said. “We have had him

up with the varsity since that time. Withoutshoes on, he is just under 7-0. With them on,he is 7-1. That is pretty good with that bodyand that frame.“I can remember when he was bent over

and hunched over as a freshman. Now, he isbig and strong. He has improved his runningand his shooting and his technique. He hasgotten a lot more aggressive with time andrepetition.”Frease can post up, but he is also not

afraid to take a foul line jumper or even drive

M

Massillon Perry 7-footer Will PlayHis College Ball AtXavier University

KennyFrease is

a two-time All-Ohio selection inDivision I. He averged 14.5 ppglast year after scoring 18.6 as asophomore.

Photo by Steve Helwagen

Tall Order


Kenny Frease

to the basket when the situation presentsitself.“I’m good at standing and shooting,” he

said. “If I am set and I have an open look, Ican usually knock it down. But I want to workon getting the ball at the top of the key, pumpfaking and taking a dribble. That is the stuff Ihave been working on.“The things I am learning will definitely help

me out in the long run.”

A Tough YearFrease is considered one of Ohio’s top

prospects in the Class of 2008, ranking fifthin Ohio High magazine. He is also rated asthe nation’s No. 37 prospect overall byESPN.com.But he had a tough time living up to those

lofty rankings last season. He was twice side-lined by injuries. He went down with a brokenwrist. Then, upon returning from that injury,he was sideline with a broken orbital bonearound his eye.“The fourth game in, I broke my wrist,”

Frease said. “Then, in four more games, wewere playing Canton Central Catholic and Igot punched in the eye. I was out for fourmore weeks.”Perry struggled a bit without Frease, end-

ing the year 13-11 overall. Frease returned tothe fold for the postseason tournament andthe Panthers went on a short run. They defeated Marietta, defending state

champion Canton McKinley and NorthCanton Hoover to advance to a district finalmatch-up against Federal League rivalCanton GlenOak. That set up a showdownbetween Frease and GlenOak’s 7-0 KostaKoufos, who is now a freshman at OhioState.But GlenOak, which would advance to the

state final four, had too much and prevailed45-28 to move on to the regional.“Last year, he had two serious injuries that

took him out of about half of our games,”Toth said. “He came back for the tournament, but he

was almost playing on instinct. There was noconditioning.“We got to the district final against Canton

GlenOak and he had a great first half againstKosta (Koufos). But he just ran out of gas.” Despite the loss, Frease was glad he was

able to make it back for the tournament.“After all the stuff that team went through

this season it was good to make a little run atthe end,” he said. “We beat McKinley andHoover. Those are two of the bigger powerhouses around our area. We lost to GlenOakin the district championship.“The hardest part for me was my condition-

ing. I was conditioned pretty good at thebeginning of the season, but then I got hurt

and sat out six weeks. That definitely tookme down, then I got back and was just start-ing to get back into it, and a few weeks later Iget hurt again. I am sitting out again and itwas like starting from a point that was evenlower than before.”Frease is hopeful all of his injury problems

are behind him and he can have a productivesenior year.“My main goal this year is to stay healthy

and play all of the games,” he said. “I gothurt last year and only got to play 12 games.“This year, I’m just trying to lead my team

to a state championship if possible. It shouldbe a fun season. I think we should be allright.”Frease is among three returning starters

as he will be joined by a pair of 6-3 seniors inTrey Thomas and Andy Reed.“Our goals are to hopefully win the league

and win the district,” Toth said. “With CantonMcKinley here, that has been a difficult task.Plus, we have other schools like GlenOakand Warren Harding and Canton Timken,which is going up to Division I this year. Theyshould be pretty good.“We’d like a chance to win the district this

year. Last year, we were one step away.”Toth believes Frease can lead Perry to

take that next step.“I am just looking for another progression,”

the coach said. “From his freshman year tohis sophomore year and his sophomore yearto his junior year, he has made big strides. Iam looking for him to make more improve-ment in his all-around game. I am not puttingany expectations on him. I just want him togo out and play hard and practice hard everyday.“We want him to do what it takes to win. If

that is shoot the ball more, then great. I thinkat times he has been too unselfish. Whathelped us in the tournament – where wewere able to beat Canton McKinley andNorth Canton Hoover – is we told him he hadto get a little selfish. He has the ability to putus on his back and carry us.”

Headed To XavierFrease raised some eyebrows last March,

when he verbaled to Xavier over the likes ofsuch major conference powers as Michigan,Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh andKentucky. The Musketeers, led by coach Sean Miller,

were just coming off a 25-8 season cappedby a heartbreaking NCAA Tournament over-time loss to Ohio State.But Frease said the familiarity he had with

Miller and the XU program was what swung itfor him.“At the point that I had committed, I had it

down to Xavier and Notre Dame,” said

Frease, who was expected to sign a letter-of-intent for XU in November. “With Xavier, theyhave always been there. They were the firstteam that started recruiting me. The thingthat really stood out to me was when I wasthinking about my college decision, it wasalways Xavier and Michigan or Xavier andNotre Dame or Xavier and Michigan State.“Xavier was always there, so I don’t know

how they’re not the best. That is one of themain reasons I chose them. The thing aboutthat is they have the coaching staff to do itand the players to do it. With me and (fellow2008 verbals) Mark Lyons and Brad Redfordand Brian Walsh coming in and (2007 Ohiostandout) Dante Jackson also committingthere, we definitely have the players to makeit happen.”Toth helped counsel Frease during the

recruiting process. He shed some light onwhy Frease opted for the Atlantic 10 schoolover offers from those in the Big Ten, BigEast and SEC.“Kenny does get that question a lot as to

why he did choose Xavier,” Toth said. “Xaviermay be a smaller school, but they are still amajor basketball school. They got on himearly. Sean Miller and his guys were the firstto offer him a scholarship. They continue tokeep that personal relationship.“Kenny is a personable kid. He likes to

have that feeling that he is a part of some-thing. They created that kind of atmospherefor him. They told him they felt he could be amajor contributor for them right away. Theydid it first and they did it better with him. “They got into his heart. That’s the kind of

kid he is. That’s the kind of family he has.They are very close and very supportive. Ithink he saw a similar situation at Xavier andthat is a credit to Sean and the staff theyhave there.”Frease talked about areas he wants to

improve before he embarks on his collegecareer.“Before college starts, I want to lose 15

pounds so I can move better,” he said. “Iwant to maintain my strength. I want to beable to play the four and move and run thefloor more. I think if I weighed 245 or 250pounds instead of 260, I would be able tomove a lot better and jump a lot better. Icould create some mismatches with somebig guys if I could do that.”Toth said he is already seeing some gains.“We do spend a lot of time in the weight

room,” the coach said. “We probably havethe number two wrestling program in thestate and the guy who trains our wrestlershas also been training our team for the lastyear. We have seen a lot of gains there.“Kenny has spent a lot of time on his con-

ditioning and his footwork.” — OH



Delvon Roe

or some high school athletes, the adulation heaped upon them asthey go down the recruiting trail can lead to complacency.That does not seem to be an issue for Lakewood St. Edward

basketball phenom Delvon Roe, however.The 6-8, 220-pound Roe has been in a neck-and-neck battle

for several years with Canal Winchester 7-1 center B.J. Mullens andToledo Libbey 6-5 wing William Buford to see who truly is the top prospectin Ohio’s Class of 2008. Roe will play his college basketball at MichiganState, while Mullens and Buford have verbaled to Ohio State.The national pundits have spoken. In ESPN.com’s latest top 150 list,

Roe checks in at No. 5 overall nationally. This Eagle has definitely landedand he is almost certain to be a McDonald’s All-American when the sea-son ends next March. But his coach said his star player never stops work-ing.“A great word to use is passion,” said St. Edward head coach Eric

Flannery. “Not many kids at his age and with his ability play with his desireand passion. He is a guy who is willing to do all of the things you need todo. He will rebound, set screens, run up and down the floor. He does thelittle things that make a huge difference.“He is always the first one on the floor and the last one to leave. He is a

very high-skilled athlete. You combine that with his fundamentals and hisdesire to be good and that’s a pretty good package.”Roe helped lead St. Ed to a 25-1 record and a berth in the Division I

state final four last March. He then set out across the summer AAU andcamp circuit to make a name for himself. His biggest plaudits came at the USA Basketball Youth Development

Festival in Colorado Springs in June. Roe was the leading scorer at 30.3points per game during a five-game run at the festival, which saw theirU.S. teams compete against each other as well as international competi-tion.Roe talked about competing against the very best from across the coun-

try and the world at the festival, which is a feeder system for the U.S.Olympic program.“With USA Basketball, we talk about wanting to represent our country

the best we can,” Roe said. “When we put that USA across our chest, wewant to go out there and give it our best effort and put a little more into it.“We talked about how LeBron (James) and Carmelo (Anthony) have

come through that organization and how neat it is one day that we couldbe on that list. We could be holding that gold medal, not a bronze medal,and taking a step toward greatness. It’s neat that we have a chance to bea part of that. Most kids don’t get a chance to be a part of that. We areblessed to have that opportunity.”Roe was also omnipresent on the AAU circuit this summer, playing for

F


Roe is headed toMichigan Stateafter selecting theSpartans overNorth Carolina,Ohio State, Kansasand Michigan.

Lakewood St. Edward’s Delvon Roe considered amongnation’s top five prep prospects


Delvon Roe

the King of the Court team. By the end of the summer, he had solidified hisplace among the top prospects nationally in the 2008 class.“I don’t know if there is a clear No. 1 or No. 2 in this class,” Roe said. “I

think we’re all pretty good players. That top 10 is pretty much interchange-able. I think we’re all good guys and we all work hard. There is nobody inthat top 10 who does not work hard and give it their best out there.“To me, the rankings are not that important because I have already com-

mitted to a college and I am focused on getting my high school team to astate championship. After that, I move on to college.”At each stop, Roe said he made sure to listen to instruction. “The mind-set is that you have to work on your skills first,” Roe said.

“That’s how you get better, not through the games. Everybody knows youcan play basketball. But it’s what you can do to improve your game. Youwant to be great at skill development. Then, when you go home to yourhometown, you practice those skills and that makes you better. That helpsyou get to the next level.”

This Eagle SoarsRoe will be a four-year starter for the famed St. Edward program.

Flannery, who guided St. Ed to a state title in 1998, returns for his 12th sea-son at the helm. He shared his first recollection of seeing Roe in action.“We have had Delvon with us on the varsity here since his freshman

year,” Flannery said. “He has been a starter since his second game as afreshman. “We had heard about him when he was in the eighth grade, but he was

already more than halfway through his eighth grade year so I did not seethat much of him then. The one thing I noticed right away – other than thatobvious that he was already 6-5 and he was left-handed – was just hisknowledge of the game.“He played as a teammate with the other players on his team. He was

just so unselfish. That was obvious when you watched him even at thatyoung age. I knew we had a chance to get a great player and also a playerthat would be very easy to coach.”Roe was an instant success as a freshman as he averaged 17 points

per game and earned special mention All-Ohio honors. He received thesame honors as a sophomore in 2005-06 as he averaged 19.3 points, 13rebounds and an amazing seven blocked shots a game.Last year, he made first-team All-Ohio in Division I after averaging 22.0

points and 10 rebounds per game. St. Edward was ranked No. 1 inDivision I most of the year. The Eagles advanced to the state semifinalsbefore falling to eventual state champion Cincinnati Moeller 67-60. Roe had14 points and four rebounds in that defeat.“Every kid at this level needs to get better at something,” Flannery said.

“I would say Delvon just needs to become a more consistent shooter. Hehas come a long way in four years. But I think his shooting and passing onthe perimeter need to come to another level if he is going to succeed.“He can be a dominant player inside for us again this year if he wants to

be. He is just so good getting free around the basket. But if he wants toexpand his game and get ready for the college level, he needs to improvehis perimeter skills.”Roe will be among four starters back at St. Ed, which again will be con-

sidered as a state tournament favorite. He will be joined by 6-8 senior for-ward Tom Pritchard (an Indiana verbal), 6-2 senior guard Frankie Dobbsand 6-2 sophomore guard Pe’shon Howard. “We have nearly everybody returning,” Roe said. “We lose two key

pieces in Matt Salay and Kyle Hubbard. But I think we have a great youngsquad. I think we also have that maturity, though. We know what it takes toget down there to the state tournament. Now, it’s how can we get to thenext level and win that state championship?”Howard is already receiving recruiting inquiries as he heads into his

sophomore year.“Last year, he was our defensive player of the year,” Roe said. “He is our

fire on the court. He works his butt off and he really tries to give it his best

effort. He brings that spark to the team.”Flannery said he is not looking forward to bidding adieu to Roe and his

classmates.“It’s been a wonderful ride for me,” Flannery said. “I know it will be disap-

pointing whenever we will have our last game this season because I knowwe will be losing a lot of great players and a lot of great kids. Delvon is noexception to that.“He is a wonderful young man. He is good in the classroom. He is good

off the floor. It has been good to be here and to see him mature.”

A Spartan EffortUpon graduation, Roe will trade the green and gold of St. Ed’s for the

green and white of Michigan State.His recruitment became somewhat of a spectator sport for basketball

junkies nationwide. But he finally made his decision last April 17, when heverbaled to MSU coach Tom Izzo. He is expected to sign with MichiganState during the early signing period in November. He picked MSU overNorth Carolina, Ohio State, Kansas and Michigan.“I felt that Michigan State is a great program and North Carolina is also a

great program,” Roe said. “But at the end of the day I had to follow myheart and I had to do what was best for me and my family.“It was just that camaraderie they had with the players they have coming

in there. I felt very close with them. I thought I could be 11 hours away atNorth Carolina or just three hours away at Michigan State. I felt like what Icould get at North Carolina, I could get at Michigan State.“It was a tough decision. It took me a long time to really look at both

schools and find the weaknesses and strengths of both schools.”Roe had narrowed the final decision down to Michigan State and North

Carolina. He said it was hard telling Roy Williams he planned to go else-where.“I didn't know how to tell one of the best coaches in college basketball

that I wouldn't be attending his school,” Roe said.Roe said Izzo was shocked to get the good news. But he and assistant

Dwayne Stephens stayed on Roe the entire time.“He was very, very shocked,” Roe said of Izzo. “He felt that they were

out of the picture. I think he thought I was signed, sealed and delivered toNorth Carolina. I told him that I had a change of heart and I had to followmy heart and do what my heart told me to do and I always thoughtMichigan State was the best place for me.“I have a great relationship with Coach Izzo. It’s almost like he’s not my

coach but like a father figure in my life. He’s always been there and healways will be there for me and I want to play for him so bad.” Roe is part of a 2008 class that also includes Wisconsin point guard

Korie Lucious and Michigan power forward Draymond Green.“I think we are bringing in great players and I know we'll have to work

hard each and every night and buying into Coach Izzo's system,” Roe said.“If we do that, we'll be having fun and hopefully we’ll be playing in the tour-nament and playing in the Final Four.“I think I’m going to be thrown into the fire right away and I’m going to get

to play a lot of minutes there.”Flannery shared his view on Roe’s recruitment.“I think it came down to a simple comfort level,” Flannery said. “I think he

was comfortable with Coach Izzo and the entire Michigan State coachingstaff. He is a hard-nosed kid and I think that fits Tom Izzo’s style. Delvonresponds well to that. Michigan State is in a position to be competitive for anational championship. They may be one person away from making a runand Delvon hopes he can be that person.”Flannery talked about how Roe could fit in at the college level for

Michigan State.“I think he can be a pure four (power forward) guy who can post up,”

Flannery said. “But I think eventually he can also be a solid three on the wing once his

shooting and ballhandling becomes more consistent.” — OH



Boys Basketbal l Recrui ts

n our last edition of Ohio High, we men-tioned how difficult it was to differentiatethe elite players in the state, especiallyin the senior class, in our updated rank-ings of the top boys basketball

prospects.Well, apparently the gap is completely

closed. According to our resident expert,Chris Johnson, the Ohio editor ofHoopScoopOnline.com, it has becomeincreasingly difficult to crown a player withthe season around the corner. Therefore,Ohio High is taking a more diplomatic – andcowardly – approach when it comes to rank-ing senior superstars William Buford ofToledo Libbey, B.J. Mullens of CanalWinchester and Delvon Roe of Lakewood St.Edward.“It basically goes down to personal prefer-

ence at this point,” Johnson said. “They’re allgreat players who had terrific summers butthey do different things out on the court. Atthis point it’s such a close call between themI think it would be most sensible just to rankthem as a three-way tie and let their seniorseasons play out to determine ultimatelywho will be ranked No. 1.”All three are just a year away from show-

ing their wares in the Big Ten – Buford andMullens at Ohio State and Roe at MichiganState. Mullens will join an OSU program thatreadied Greg Oden for the NBA last yearand figures to do the same for 7-footer KostaKoufos, a Canton GlenOak graduate, thisseason.“As far as pure talent and/or NBA draftabil-

ity, Mullens because of his size, skills andathleticism, is the best prospect of the threeand could be the last in a three-year succes-sion of Ohio State big men who are lotterypicks,” Johnson said.The tier below the Big Three is nearly as

impressive with several future Division Iplayers. The junior class, however, lacks fizzat this point. The only Ohioan consistently

I

Buford, MullensAnd Roe ShareOhio Spotlight

Canal Winchester seniorB.J. Mullins is headed toOhio State following hissenior year.

Photo by Anthony Brown

Big Time


Boys Basketbal l Recrui tsSTORY BY JEFF RAPP

ranked in the national top 100 for 2009 isguard Desmar Jackson, who will be in hisfirst season at Warren Harding.Still, there is a noticeable amount of young

talent all over the state.The following is our updated rankings for

each class, including the most recent nation-al class rankings by ESPN.com (ES) andHoopScoopOnline.com (HS) where applica-ble:

Seniors (Class of 2008)1. (tie) William Buford, 6-5, wing for-

ward, Toledo Libbey (ES, 8th; HS, 21st) –Buford seems to only get better on the hard-wood. He showed great shooting touch, ath-leticism and leadership throughout the sum-mer, including his starring role with the D-1Greyhounds AAU squad.He’s just got tremendous offensive skills,”

Johnson said. “He’s a great shooter/scorerwho knows how to perform. He’s comparableto former Ohio State player Daequan Cook.He’s not quite as athletic as Daequan buthe’s a more consistent shooter at this stage.”After verbally committing to Ohio State last

fall, Buford went on to post a fantastic junioryear, averaging 28.4 points and 10 reboundsa game for Libbey. He’s a first-team All-Ohioplayer in D-1 who is now a leading candidatefor “Mr. Basketball” honors.1. (tie) B.J. Mullens, 7-1, center, Canal

Winchester (ES, 12th; HS, 25th) – Mullensaveraged 26.4 points, 14.1 rebounds and 4.4blocked shots a game as a junior. His scoringaverage was second only to UpperSandusky’s Jon Diebler’s among all DivisionII players, yet he was somehow left off thefirst-team All-Ohio list.However, Mullens was sure not to be over-

looked this summer, playing well in severalpremier events. And even his critics agreethat his potential is nearly unlimited.“At 7-1, 260 pounds, Mullens possesses

great athletic ability and skill for a center,including a tremendous offensive repertoire,”Johnson said. “He’s also an outstandingpasser. I would like to see him focus a littlemore attention on defense and rebounding tobecome the total package. If he can do that,he can have Bill Walton-like potential.”Mullens transferred from nearby World

Harvest Prep last year and was dominant inhis first season with the Indians.1. (tie) Delvon Roe, 6-8, power forward,

Lakewood St. Edward (ES, 5th; HS, 4th) –A versatile and highly effective lefty, Roebrings a wealth of effort and skill to the court.“He’s a great athlete, a tremendous

defender, he plays with great passion, he hasan outstanding on-court IQ, a great slashergoing to bucket and a great passer,” Johnsonsaid. “The only time Delvon tends to struggle

is when he tries to play more like a wing for-ward, which he will in his future. But for rightnow he’s best suited to be a power forward.”As a junior, Roe guided the Eagles to a 25-

1 mark and averaged 22.0 points and eightrebounds a game in earning Division I All-Ohio honors.4. Yancy Gates, 6-8, power forward,

Cincinnati Withrow (ES, 26th; HS, 14th) –Gates transferred from Cincinnati Hughesand made Withrow an immediate force. Heaveraged 19.4 points and eight rebounds agame in earning second-team All-Ohio hon-ors in Division I as a junior. He verbaled toCincinnati in April, picking the Bearcats overGeorgetown, Indiana, Xavier, Michigan andothers.“Gates has as much talent, strength and

athleticism as the previous three but heneeds to be a little bit more consistent andtends at times to float too much on theperimeter, which negates his strength andsize inside,” Johnson said.5. Kenny Frease, 7-0, center, Massillon

Perry (ES, 37st; HS, 79th) – Frease dealtwith various nagging injuries last season, butstill managed to average right on 15 pointsand 11 rebounds per game and was namedthird-team All-Ohio in Division I. His size andgumption make him a great catch for Xavier,where he’ll play beginning next year.“He’s a prototype low-post center,”

Johnson said. “He’s an extremely intelligent,

hardworking kid who has great desire tostrive to get better and better.”6. Josh Benson, 6-10, power forward,

Dayton Dunbar (ES, 117th) – Johnson saidBenson might be the best-kept secret inOhio, as his commitment to the University ofDayton barely grabbed any headlines despitehis size, talent and winning ways.“For a 6-10 kid who runs like a deer, he

has been overshadowed by other players inthe Dunbar program such as Daequan Cook,Aaron Pogue and others,” he said. “He’s anabsolute steal for UD.”Benson averaged 10.1 points per game

but was stellar late in the season as Dunbarmarched to a 24-4 mark and a secondstraight Division II state title.7. Chris Johnson, 6-5, wing forward,

Columbus Brookhaven – Another DaytonFlyer in waiting. Averaged 24.4 ppg, 13.2 rpgand 3.0 blocks per game as a junior and wasa second-team All-Ohio pick in Division I.8. Tom Pritchard, 6-8, power forward,

Lakewood St. Edward (ES, 121st) –Averaged 13.0 points per game in helpingthe Eagles advance to the Division I statefinal four. A solid summer for the AAU squadKing of the Court helped him land a scholar-ship to Indiana.9. Robert Wilson, 6-5, wing forward,

Garfield Heights – Transfer from ClevelandRhodes who will help GH become a statepower. Highly athletic and confident wingwho is committed to Wisconsin.10. Ryne Smith, 6-3, shooting guard,

Toledo Whitmer – Supreme outside shooterwho averaged 17 ppg last year. Committedto Purdue in midsummer.11. Damian Eargle, 6-8, power forward,

Warren Harding – Shot blocker, rebounderand growing offensive player who just recent-ly committed to UNC-Greensboro.12. Kyle Rudolph, 6-6, power forward,

Cincinnati Elder – Future Notre Dame tightend who doesn’t show any letup on the hard-wood. Averaged 17.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg andrepeated as the GCL South player of theyear.13. Anthony Hitchens, 5-9, point guard,

Chillicothe – One of the state’s most excit-ing and beloved players. Averaged 18.5 ppgand earned second-team All-Ohio honors inDivision II as a junior. Has verbaled to Akron.14. Devon Moore, 6-4, point guard,

Columbus Northland (HS, 81st) – Averaged16.5 points per game as a junior and willserve as a playmaker on one of the state’sdeepest teams. Considering offers from KentState, Bowling Green and Toledo.15. Walt Gibler, 6-6, power forward,

Cincinnati St. Xavier – Helped St. X to asurprising run to the Division I state titlegame and averaged 15.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg. A

Dayton Dunbar senior Josh Benson blos-somed during the Wolverines’ run to theirsecond straight state title last year.

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Boys Basketbal l Recrui ts

recent commitment to Loyola of Chicago.16. Chris Henderson, 6-7, power forward,

Warren Harding – Agile big man is hearing fromseveral MAC schools.17. Scott Thomas, 6-6, wing forward,

Delaware Buckeye Valley – Very athletic, wiryperformer who committed to Bowling Green.18. Greg Avery, 6-3, shooting guard, Newark

– Outstanding shooter who routinely hits big shotsfor the best team in the Ohio Capital Conference.19. Damon Butler, 5-9, point guard,

Cincinnati North College Hill – Cat-quick play-maker who just wins games. Led NCH to anunexpected state title last year.20. Logan Aronholt, 6-4, wing forward,

Zanesville – Recently committed to AlbanyCollege. Powerful wing and coach’s son with highbasketball IQ.

Juniors (Class of 2009)1. Desmar Jackson, 6-4, shooting guard,

Warren Harding (HS, 63rd) – Jackson long hasbeen considered a top prospect in this class eventhough he doubles as a gridiron star. After trans-ferring from Warren JFK, he is expected to jointhe dynamic Sheldon Brodgon in the backcourt ofthe one of the state’s top teams.“Desmar gets the edge in this class because of

his great athleticism,” Johnson said. “He’s just amore natural talent.”Jackson earned Special Mention All-Ohio hon-

ors in D-III after averaging 20.2 ppg.2. Bill Edwards, 6-5, wing forward,

Middletown (HS, 56th) – Edwards actually isslightly higher rated than Jackson by some servic-es but he ballooned up to about 240 pounds inthe off-season and dealt with several nagginginjuries as a sophomore. He still managed toaverage 13.0 ppg last season and showed out-standing all-around ability.3. Reggie Keely, 6-7, power forward,

Bedford – Played well for Bedford after transfer-ring from Solon during last season. Was namedsecond-team all-district after averaging 16.3 ppg.4. Danny McElroy, 6-7, power forward,

Cincinnati LaSalle (HS, 46th) -- Committed toCincinnati a year ago, meaning he’ll join fellowarea star and power forward Yancy Gates on theBearcats roster next season. Averaged 10.3 ppgand 5.1 rpg as a soph.5. Robert Capobianco, 6-7, power forward,

Loveland – Inside force who averaged 19.5 ppgand 11.3 rpg last season.6. Darren Goodson, 6-4, wing forward,

Cincinnati Aiken – Recent Bowling Green com-mitment.7. Matt Kavanaugh, 6-9, center, Centerville –

Big center won’t have to travel far when he goesto college; he’s promised to the University ofDayton.8. Garrick Sherman, 6-9, center, Kenton –

Physical pivot man who is the most talented play-er from Kenton in years. Getting looks from Big

Ten schools such as Purdue, Iowa and Michigan.9. Marquis Horne, 6-7, power forward,

Cincinnati Princeton – Big-time athlete who hasmoved into the state from Marietta, Ga. 10. Mario Hines, 6-8, power forward,

Garfield Heights (HS, 80th) – Lots of potentialand upside. Also a showcase performer for theOhio Basketball Club at the AAU level.11. Randal Holt, 5-11, point guard, Bedford –

Second-team all-district pick after averaging 20.4ppg as a sophomore.12. Dane Kopp, 6-8, center, Newark13. Carl Jones, 5-7, point guard, Garfield

Heights – Third-team all-district pick after averag-ing 18.7 ppg last season.14. Robert Johnson, 6-4, wing forward,

Bedford15. Drew McGee, 6-9, power forward, North

Ridgeville

Sophomores (Class of 2010)1. Jared Sullinger, 6-8, power forward,

Columbus Northland (HS, 17th) – Sullingergrew another inch and continued to expand hisgame this summer after recovering from a brokenfoot suffered in the spring. He averaged rightaround 18 points and 10 rebounds per game last

season, coming off the bench and helpingNorthland to a stellar 24-1 seasonSullinger, who plays for his father, Satch

Sullinger, is the younger brother of former OhioState captain J.J. and current Kent State powerforward Julian. He committed to Ohio State afterhis breakout freshman season and figures toremain a very highly rated member of the 2010class.2. Adreian Payne, 6-9, center, Dayton

Jefferson –A long-armed shot blocker with adeveloping game, Payne continues to rise.“Every time I see him play he seems taller and

vastly improved,” Johnson said.Payne teamed with Sullinger over the summer

on the All-Ohio Red AAU squad. Dayton, Xavier,Ohio State and Indiana are among the schoolsnow showing interest.3. Cameron Wright, 6-3, shooting guard,

Cleveland Benedictine – Explosive athlete whoneeds to refine his outside game.4. Juwan Staten, 5-10, point guard, Dayton

Thurgood Marshall (HS, 79th) –Another stand-out on the All-Ohio Red team in the summer.Heady point who knows how to run his team.Xavier, Dayton and Ohio State are following hisprogress.5. Pe’shon Howard, 6-2, combo guard,

Lakewood St. Edward (HS, 60th) – Key reserveon St. Ed’s Division I state final four team whoshould start this season. Well-regarded prospectwho already is receiving overtures from MichiganState, Ohio State, Indiana and Dayton.6. Allen Payne, 6-5, wing forward, Cincinnati

Winton Woods –Athletic forward whose varsitydebut season resulted in an average of 11.0 ppg.7. Nick Kellogg, 6-2, point guard, Columbus

DeSales (HS, 43rd) – Son of former Ohio Statestar Clark Kellogg who averaged 10.0 ppg as afrosh for state semifinal squad. Strong and highlycompetitive lead guard.8. Kenny Knight, 6-6, power forward,

Cincinnati Northwest –Outstanding athlete whoplays well against top competition.9. Griffin McKenzie, 6-8 power forward,

Cincinnati Moeller10. J.D. Weatherspoon, 6-6, wing forward,

Columbus Northland

Freshmen (Class of 2011)Here are six names to watch in Ohio’s Class of

2011:Stevie Taylor, 5-8, point guard, Gahanna

Lincoln; Paul Honigford, 6-8, power forward,Sugarcreek Garaway; Jehvon Clarke, 5-10,guard, Canton Timken; Marcus Graham, 6-1,shooting guard, Dayton Jefferson; Brandon Neel,6-5, wing forward, Cincinnati LaSalle; Trey Burke,5-9, point guard, Columbus Northland.

For more updates on Ohio’s top prospects andthose nationally, check out Chris Johnson’s workat hoopscooponline.com

Centerville junior Matt Kavanaugh (left) hasalready commited to the University of Dayton.

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Vinton County Boys Basketbal l

J JHUDDLE .COM JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High50

mall, rural Vinton County – for many years – was often difficultto identify on any Ohio map.So too was its boys basketball program, which primarily

played second fiddle to its football team.But, given its recent run of success, the Vinton County program is no

longer one which is often overlooked. Rather, it’s one of the top targetsthroughout all of southeast Ohio.The Vikings, under the direction of eight-year head coach Matt

Combs, are aiming for their fourth league championship in five years aswell as their fourth 14-or-more win season in the same time span.In two of those campaigns, the Vikings have captured at least 20 vic-

tories, including an undefeated regular season just last year.In addition, Vinton County claimed the Division II sectional champi-

onship both seasons, and advanced to a school-best district champi-onship game in 2004.This year, those goals remain the same – only a run to the regional

tournament wouldn’t be bad, either.The man overseeing the Vikings’ ship is Combs, a former standout at

Unioto High School who was hired at the turn of the decade to turn theMaroon and White in the right direction.He has certainly done that, despite often deflecting the credit. Last

season, Combs climbed over the 100-win total for his coaching career.Among the factors for the recent run of success, Combs said, were

“good timing” and “a lot of hard work by the coaches and the players.”“Obviously, we’ve had good players, and you can’t win without talent.

You just don’t,” he said. “But talent by itself, you don’t win with thateither. It has to be a combination of that and everybody doing their jobs,coaches and players alike. And we haven’t had a lot of turnover in assis-tant coaches.”Combs has had the same reserve coach, John Royster, for all eight

seasons with only two freshmen coaches, Jeremy Ward and TravisHale. Ward is entering his fourth season as the varsity girls head coach

while Hale remains the freshmen coach. Until this season, ChrisEldridge has been Combs’ top varsity assistant. Combs was hired in 2000, the same year in which the new Vinton

County High School opened in McArthur. After one season at Portsmouth East in which he won eight games,

he took over a Vikings program which was in a “rebuilding phase” and“expectations weren’t very high at the varsity level.”“I got lucky in terms of timing,” said Combs. “When I got here, we had

a new school building, so it was just a fresh start for everything. And Ihad a lot of talent at the junior high age group, so I had a couple ofyears to get my feet on the ground while seeing that talent grow older.”Combs added that the district’s administration been supportive, too.“You can’t spend eight years at one school any more if your adminis-

tration doesn’t support you through some good and bad times,” saidCombs. “They’ve left me alone to do the best I can do. They’ve beenunderstanding when we fail and supportive when we’re good.”And, the Vikings have been good for the majority of Combs’ first

seven seasons.Prior to last season’s 22-1 record, the standard had been the 2003-04

campaign.That season, the Vikings amassed a then school-best 20-4 record,

which also included a 17-game winning streak.The storybook season

was highlighted, though, bythe school’s first Tri-ValleyConference championship in30 years, and first-everberth in the district champi-onship game.Had it not been for the

heroics of GreenfieldMcClain freshman DanteJackson (now at XavierUniversity), perhaps theVikings would haveappeared in the “Sweet 16.”Individually, point guard

Ryan Kent, shooting guardBrian Dixon and swingmanChris Bethel earned somelevel of all-district honors.Kent was a consensus first-teamer and co-player of theyear in the TVC-Ohio.Combs, a two-time

Division II Southeast DistrictAssociated Press coach ofthe year award winner, saidhe recalls that memorableseason “like it was yester-day.”“To me, the first team to

do all of that will always have a special place in my heart,” he explained.“That team had to overcome a lot. They had to believe they could win,and overcome some of the past history of maybe not being able to do it.For them to accomplish that, it kind of paved the way for the rest of theteams. If you think about it, the kids we had on last year’s (22-1) team,they were either freshmen or in junior high in 2004. They were watchingthe 2004 team do it, and I think that planted a seed in their mind thatthey wanted to do it, too.”The Vikings repeated as TVC champions the next season, sharing the

honor with Belpre, as Bethel shared the league POY honors with twoothers.Last season, Vinton County was once again over the 20-win plateau,

and this time entered tournament play undefeated. It was the firstunbeaten regular-season in school history.Combs described the fun of a perfect regular season, but also admit-

ted the grind and pressure of each mounting win without a loss.The closest the Vikings actually came to defeat during the regular

season was trailing Federal Hocking by nine points before rallying for a67-66 victory on Jan. 16.“It was fun and it was challenging, though it was also a little bit of a

grind on me toward the end,” Combs said. “The kids handled it well. Youknow as a coach that it might be a once-in-a-lifetime deal. You don’t get

S

“To me, the first team to do allof that will always have a spe-cial place in my heart. Thatteam had to overcome a lot.”

Vinton County Boys BasketballCoach Matt Combs on the

2003-04 team that made theschool’s first district final.

Vinton County Boys Basketbal l


STORY BY PAUL BOGGS

that chance every year to go unbeaten. So it was fun to finish it off and togo undefeated. It’s something that I’ll never forget. But hopefully, it’s some-thing those kids never forget, either.” The Vikings then won the sectional by erasing a 14-point deficit against

Warren, which was their largest deficit of any sort all winter.Before losing to regional runner-up Chillicothe, the Vikings set a school-

record for most wins in a single season and most consecutive victories ina single campaign. In fact, they have won 24 straight regular-seasongames entering this season.Combs said the recent run of success has presented new challenges

for the program.“To me, the only thing more difficult than doing it once is doing it twice,”

he said. “As you have some success, it motivates other teams to beat youand knock you off the top. That’s only natural, though, and that’s the waythey should feel. Our kids have to not get complacent and realize that wehave to start all over again and do it again.”This season, the Vikings are once again a favorite in the TVC Ohio

Division, as they return the division player of the year and first-team all-dis-trict center Dustin Guthrie.“It seems like we’re picked to win the league every year,” said Combs. “I

think our kids are used to high expectations at this point.”This marks the fourth straight year in which many observers have pro-

jected the Vikings to finish at or near the top of the TVC-Ohio.“If you’re in a league, your goal for the regular season should be to win

that league,” said Combs. “That’s our goal every year. We’ve been able towin the league three times in four years and we’ve finished second a cou-

ple of times. It’s important because it shows consistency in your program.I’ve always felt that any school can have a good season. It matters moreto me that you have a good program and are doing it year after year.”And, year after year, Combs says the team’s two primary goals are to

“win the league and get to the Convo (Ohio University Convocation Centerfor the Division II district tournament).”“We always tell our kids, win the league and get to the Convo,” said

Combs. “After that, we’ll talk about it. Anything can happen, sometimesgood and sometimes bad. Some teams that get to the Convo catch abreak because there has been a couple of upsets. Other times, like in ourcase last year, it was unfortunate that Chillicothe and Greenfield McClainwere in our same district.”Should the Vikings return to the Convocation Center this season, a

potential rematch with Chillicothe awaits.But first, Vinton County must navigate a difficult non-league road sched-

ule, which includes the likes of Philo, Waverly, Waterford, Huntington andSoutheastern. The game against Huntington is at the Convocation Center.“It’s a very challenging non-league schedule,” said Combs. “Hopefully,

it’ll make us a little more tested come tournament time.”However, the Vikings have become used to challenges and expecta-

tions, whereas once upon a time, it was difficult to pinpoint the program onthe southeast Ohio map.“I’ve always said that expectations put a little pressure on you, but if you

never have expectations, that means you’re not very good,” said Combs.“It’s one or the other. I’d rather take the pressure and the expectations andalso have a chance to be good. I think our kids feel that way, too.” — OH

Also look for our Football, Boys & Girls Basketball and Overall Coaches of the Year


Gir ls Basketbal l Prev iew

Cincinnati Mt.Notre Dame has

won three Division I titles in the last four years.


Three of a Kind


Gir ls Basketbal l Prev iewSTORY BY OH IO H IGH STAFF

t is hard not to look at Division I girls basketball and not instantlythink of Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame. The Cougars have wonthree of the last four state championships and were state runner-

up in 2005. With a loaded roster returning for the 2007-08 campaign,MND has to get the early nod as the favorite in the big-school divi-sion.The Cougars headline the southwest area of the state that is chock

full of talent. Regional finalist West Chester Lakota West returnsevery player from last year’s roster and is led by one of the top play-ers in the country in Amber Gray. Cincinnati Oak Hills could makesome noise and Dayton Chaminade-Julienne is always a contender inDivision I. Three of the four teams that reached Columbus last year for the

first time (Stow-Munroe Falls, Findlay, Pickerington North) appear toall be facing a rebuilding year with key losses to graduation. Could this be the year North Canton Hoover gets over the hump?

The Lady Vikings won district titles in four of the last five years afterwinning the state title in 2002. Hoover has the talent to make anotherrun at Columbus.The following is a look at the top players and teams to watch in

Division I this season:

Top Players* Amber Gray, 6-1, F, Sr., West Chester Lakota West – The

Tennessee recruit led the No. 4-ranked Lady Firebirds to the regionalfinals. She averaged 20.9 points per game and was a first-team All-Ohio selection. * Kendall Hackney, 6-1, F, Jr., Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame –

Averaged 11.5 ppg as a sophomore for state champ MND and had adouble-double in the title game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.* Emilee Harmon, 6-2, G, Jr., Pickerington Central – Earned first-

team All-Ohio honors as a sophomore scoring 20.3 ppg for theregional semifinalist Lady Tigers (21-4).* Channing Hillman, 6-0, F, Sr., Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame –

Contributed significantly for defending state champion Cougars, earn-ing Division I honorable mention All-Ohio recognition. Tallied eightpoints and six rebounds in the state title game and is committed toUTEP.* Tia McBride, 6-2, F, Sr., Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame –

Averaged 13.1 ppg for state champion MND as a junior. Committed toGeorgetown.* Brittany Orban, 5-11, F, Sr., North Canton Hoover – Was a first-

team All-Ohio selection leading the Lady Vikings (21-4) to the regionalfinals dropping 21.6 ppg. She also averaged 22.7 ppg as a sopho-more. Committed to Northwestern.* Jessica Pachko, 6-1, F, Sr., Cincinnati Oak Hills – The

Marquette recruit contributed 13.7 ppg last season and pulled down5.0 rpg for the Lady Oaks (22-3). * Gabby Smith, 5-10, G, Jr., Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame –

Smith averaged 9.3 ppg as a sophomore for MND’s D-I state champi-onship team.* Tracy Snider, 5-9, G, Sr., Lancaster – Earned second-team All-

Ohio honors scoring 20.6 ppg. Committed to Ohio U.* Amber Stokes, 5-8, PG, Sr., Gahanna Lincoln – A transfer from

Columbus DeSales, Stokes is rated as the No. 63 overall prospect inthe country and No. 21 PG by HoopGurlz.com.* Jessica Tamerlano, 6-0, F, Jr., North Royalton – Earned third-

team All-Ohio honors with 17.0 ppg for the district semifinalist LadyWarriors. Gave up soccer this year to focus on hoops.* India Warfield, 6-1, F, Sr., Dayton Chaminade-Julienne –

Committed to St. Louis University.* Erin Wisner, 6-2, Sr., C, Solon – The Miami (Ohio) recruit was a

member of the 2006 staterunner-up Lady Cometsteam and earned Division Ispecial mention All-Ohiohonors last year for districtfinalist Solon.* Tiera Stephan, 5-7, PG,

Sr., Dayton Chaminade-Julienne – Rated as the No.13 PG in the country byHoopGurlz.com and the No.68 prospect overall.

Teams To Watch* Cincinnati Mount Notre

Dame – MND is quicklybecoming a girls basketballdynasty in Ohio claimingthree of the last four DivisionI state titles including a staterunner-up finish in 2005.The coaching transition

last season with long-timehead coach Scott Rogerstaking a seat on the bench

while making way for assistant Dante Harlan was seamless as theCougars finished 23-4 and raised the trophy in Columbus. With fourstarters returning, including Hackney, McBride, Smith and junior GAshley Fowler (5.0 ppg) in addition to depth on the bench withHillman, MND has to be considered the preseason favorite in D-I.Rogers has moved on this season to coach the Cincinnati Indian

Hill girls squad, of which, his daughter Aubrey is a member.* Stow-Munroe Falls – The Lady Bulldogs put up a vicious fight

last year in the state championship game but MND outlasted Stow63-43 in their first trip to the state tournament.It appears as though it will be a rebuilding year for the 2007-08

campaign as Stow graduated all five senior starters, including sec-ond-team All-Ohio selection Lianna Jennings who is off to JohnCarroll after transferring from Bowling Green earlier this school year.Head coach Bob Podges is entering his ninth season at Stow andhas a 133-54 record leading the Lady Bulldogs. * Pickerington North – Like Stow, Pickerington North made its first

trip to Columbus last year finishing No. 11 in the final AP poll with a22-4 record. And like Stow this season, the Lady Panthers have someholes to fill left behind by graduation.Junior F Kelsey Price (8.2 ppg) is the lone returning starter for

North. Junior G Jordan Smithberger saw some time last year as didsophomore G Nicole Olszewski and junior forward Jen Rennell butthey will have to step into leadership roles this season if the LadyPanthers are going to be successful.* Findlay – Findlay also made its first trip to the state tournament

last year falling to MND in the semifinals 56-41 finishing with a 21-5record and ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll.

DIVISION I

Dayton Chaminade-Julienne seniorand defensive specialist Tiera Stephanis headed to Louisville.


I

Mount Notre early favorite,several strong squads return



Gone are three starters from last year’s team, including Division Ico-player of the year Carlee Roethlisberger, who is now at Oklahoma.Returning, however, is senior C Jonette McQueen (7.5 ppg) and sen-ior guard Ashley Peterson (6.1 ppg). Senior G Ashley Sottoway willstep into a starting role after seeing significant time on the court lastyear as well as senior 6-3 C Christina Cruse.* West Chester Lakota West – Gray and the Lady Firebirds fell to

MND in the regional finals last year 58-49 after falling to the Cougarsin the regional semifinals the previous year.With everyone returning from last year’s team, Gray, a Tennessee

recruit rated as the No. 2 forward in the country and No. 4 prospectoverall, will try to get Lakota West over that hump this year and leadthe Lady Firebirds to Columbus. Junior F Alexis Rogers (10 ppg, 6.2rpg) will complement Gray nicely as well as St. Francis (Pa.) recruitQuinessa Johnson (4.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg), junior G Tessa Elkins (7.3 ppg,3 rpg) and senior G Allison Whitenack (4 ppg, 1.2 rpg).* North Canton Hoover – The Lady Vikings have been knocking

on the door the last few years finishing a regional finalist the past twoseasons including district champs four of the last five.They finished 21-4 last year and ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll.

Hoover graduated four seniors but Orban is the toast of the team andwill lead a group of seniors that has seen significant playing time,including F Kylie Baughmgardner, G Whitney Burrell, G BridgetteChamberlain and G Jackie Nicodemo. Junior G Jen Iafelice headlinesthe underclassmen.* Other Teams To Watch – Mentor (20-4), Shaker Heights (19-6),

Dublin Scioto (25-1), Pickerington Central (21-4), Brunswick (19-5),Dayton Chaminade-Julienne (17-7), Strongsville (20-3), ToledoCentral Catholic (18-8), Cincinnati Oak Hills (22-3) and CincinnatiWinton Woods (21-3).

By Matt Natali

or the past two years, Warsaw River View has finished the sea-son as Division II state champions. Should the Lady Bearsrepeat the feat this year, they would become just the third school

in state history to win three straight girls basketball state titles, joiningMillersburg West Holmes (1984-86) and South Euclid Regina (2001-03). As the season starts, though, River View appears to be the least

likely team from last year’s state semifinalists to make it back toColumbus. Graduation took four starters, including two-time Division IIplayer of the year Kristin Daugherty. It would not be a stretch to see last year’s other three semifinalists

return: Columbus Eastmoor, Sandusky Perkins and Shaker HeightsHathaway Brown.

Top Players* Cierra Bravard, 6-4, Sr., P, Sandusky Perkins – Ranked by mul-

tiple recruiting sources as one of the top post players in the country,including No. 2 by Hoopgurlz.com. A two-time first-team All-Ohioan,Bravard averaged 22.3 points per game as a junior and 22.2 as asophomore. Has college choices narrowed down to Ohio State,Maryland, Kentucky, Florida State, Pitt and Miami (Fla.).

DIVISION II

F

Eastmoor, Hathaway Brown,Perkins looking for return trip

* Ayana Dunning, 6-3, Sr., P, Columbus Eastmoor – LikeBravard, is one of the nation’s premier post players (No. 3 byHoopgurlz.com). Was first-team All-Ohio last season after averaging18.1 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Was second-team All-Ohioas a sophomore after averaging 19 points. Undecided on college, but

list includes Ohio State, LSU,Rutgers, Illinois and USC.* Macie Blinn, 6-0, Sr., W,

Greenville – Illinois commitis one of state’s most versa-tile players. Was first-teamAll-Ohio a year ago (16.3ppg) after being a second-team pick as a sophomore(18.4 ppg).* Kari Daugherty, 6-2, Jr.,

W, Warsaw River View –Assumes role as go-to playerwith graduation of her sisterKristin (Dayton). Averaged9.5 ppg as a freshman and12.1 last year en route tospecial mention All-Ohio hon-ors.* Brogan Berry, 5-9, Sr.

G, Dayton Carroll –Standout point guard wasMid-Miami League player ofthe year as a sophomore(14.6 ppg) and Girls GreaterCincinnati League Grey

Division player of the year last season (16.3 ppg). Berry, a second-team All-Ohio pick in 2007, already has 1,000 career points.Undecided on college but getting attention from Big Ten schools.* Katie Popovec, 6-3, Sr., P, Canfield – Pittsburgh recruit will chal-

lenge for state player of the year honors after dropping down from D-I.Popovec was a two-time All-Ohioan in D-I and is the reigning two-timeMetro Athletic Conference player of the year. She’s been first-teamMAC three times.* Mylan Woods, 5-9, So., W, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown –

Woods was her team’s leading scorer in both state games last seasonand plays beyond her years. Tough match-up for anyone. Was sec-ond-team All-Ohio last year after averaging 14.1 ppg.* Sakara House, 5-9, Sr. G,, Kenton Ridge – One of D-II’s most

versatile players, House is a three-time All-Ohioan. She averaged21.9 points, 9.2 steals and 6.5 assists last season. As a sophomore,House averaged 19.1 points. 6.8 rebounds, 6.3 steals and 6.1 assists.As a freshman, she averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.4 stealsand 6 assists. * Brittney Taylor, 5-8, Jr., W, Youngstown East – Reigning player

of the year in Northeast District was first-team All-Ohio last seasonafter averaging 24 ppg.* Katie Fox, 6-1, Sr., P, Carrollton – Averaged 14.6 ppg last sea-

son en route to second-team All-Ohio honors.* Cassie Morgan, 5-9, Sr., W, Circleville – Named second-team

All-Ohio last season after averaging 19.1 ppg.* Angela Groves, 6-1, Sr., P, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown –

Was second-team All-Ohio last season after averaging 13.7 points.

Teams To Watch* Warsaw River View – The Lady Bears will undoubtedly have a

different look this season with two-time D-II player of the year Kristin

Dayton Carroll senior Brogan Berry hasbeen player of the year in two differentleagues (Mid-Miami League and GGCL).

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Daugherty and four of five starters gone. Experience is a concern. Afteroriginally stepping down, head coach Caroline Daugherty has returnedto the sideline and will get a lift from her daughter Kari Daugherty, a jun-ior and three-year starter.Senior Katie Haumschild (5-7,F) will be counted on to con-tribute significantly.* Sandusky Perkins –

With Bravard and honorablemention All-Ohio selectionTrisha Krewson (6-0, G)returning, the Pirates are earlyfavorites to return toColumbus. Last season,Perkins lost to HathawayBrown in the state semis withKrewson (Bucknell commit)and Bravard combining for 29of the Pirates’ 39 points.Perkins also returns a pair ofguards in three-year starterBethany Caudill (5-7, jr.) andAmber Hunter (5-7, sr.).* Kettering Alter – Knights

have won six straight GGCLGrey Division titles and fourstraight D-II district titles.Including its run to the 2002state tournament, Alter hasclaimed five of six district titlesand has played in seven straight district finals. Alter returns threestarters in seniors Nicole Christie (8.8 ppg), Courtney Chihil (7 ppg) andMeghan Waterman (8.1 ppg). Chihil and Waterman were second-teamAll-GGCL last season and All-Southwest District. Christie was honorablemention all-league. Ashley Christie (5.6 ppg) will also contribute. TheKnights lost 32-31 toEastmoor in the regional finala year ago. * Shaker Heights

Hathaway Brown – TheBlazers were somewhat of anunexpected surprise at lastyear’s state tournament andthat visit may have been thefirst of many. HathawayBrown returns four startersincluding Groves and Woods.Also back are juniors KirstenHolmes (5-4, P) and LaurenRyan (5-7, G). Sophomoresensation Alexis Dobbs (5-5,PG) also returns.* Dayton Carroll – The

Patriots are 92-26 the last fiveyears and have been close toelusive state berth. Last sea-son Carroll lost in regionalsemis to rival Alter (40-39)and two years ago Patriotsfell in regional final to LittleMiami. Senior Shante Jones (Iowa

recruit) teams with Berry to give the Pats one of the top guard tandems

in the state. A two-time All-Southwest District selection, Jones averaged17.9 ppg last season after averaging 28 ppg as a sophomore at Stivers.Junior Kendra Elam is back for her third-year as a starter.* Columbus Eastmoor –

The Warriors are looking fortheir third trip to state in fouryears and their first state title.In addition to Dunning,Eastmoor and head coach JimMiranda return three additionalstarters in DeAndra Hall (5-6,jr. G), Janae Collick (5-6, Sr.,G) and Olivia French (5-4, Jr.G). Key to return to the statetournament could be replacingstandout Lashawna Thomas(Wright State) and her 17 ppg.

Other Teams To Watch* Canfield – Keep an eye

on the Cardinals. Canfielddrops down from D-I, where itlost to North Canton Hoover(48-46) in the district semifi-nals last season. * Circleville – The Tigers

finished regular season 19-1and ranked No. 4 in final statepoll last year before being upset by Washington C.H. in the sectionalfinal. Morgan again leads the charge.* Cincinnati Taft – The Senators have played in two straight district

finals but lost to Alter each time. Taft is looking to break through to nextlevel and senior Katelyn Ried, a St. Louis recruit, who was All-SouthwestDistrict last year (16.4 ppg) gives them reason to believe. Replacing lastseason’s Southwest District player of the year Deseree Byrd (Louisville)is big hurdle. * Dayton Oakwood – The Jills could have a breakout season behind

junior standout and reigning Southwestern Buckeye League player ofthe year Cathryn Hardy. * Upper Sandusky – The Rams move up to D-II after two-year stay in

D-III. Upper Sandusky has appeared in four straight district finals, andwas a D-II district champion in 2005. The Rams will be led by 5-9 seniorClaire Aubrey, who averaged 23.8 points per game last year en route tothird-team All-Ohio honors.* Springfield Kenton Ridge – Led by longtime coach Ed Foulk (over

400 wins), the Cougars are looking for their first state berth since 1995.Last season’s sectional final loss to Tipp City Tippecanoe ended a six-year string of district finals appearances. Kenton Ridge has won sevenstraight CBC Mad River Division titles. Sophomore Saira House,Sakara’s little sister, is a talent in her own right. Also watch out for 6-3sophomore Alicia Ware and senior Katie Ketterman.* Youngstown East – Formerly known as Youngstown Rayen, East

begins season looking to match last year’s run that included a 20-5record and district title. * Cincinnati McNicholas – Rockets are always a threat to win district

title and regional regulars. Opposing coaches label them as a team ofconcern.* Columbus Mifflin – Punchers could challenge Eastmoor for

Columbus City League – and district – supremacy.

By Eric Frantz

Kettering Alter senior MeghanWaterman is one of three starters backfor the GGCL Grey champion Knights.

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Hathaway Brown senior AngelaGroves is one of four starters back forthe state runner-up Blazers.

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Columbus Eastmoor senior AyanaDunning is ranked the No. 3 post play-er in the country by hoopgurlz.com.

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ast year, led by Jantel Lavender, Cleveland Central Catholic cap-tured the Division III state championship with a 51-45 win overDelphos St. John’s in the title game. However, the 6-4 Lavender

is now at Ohio State and runner-up Delphos St. John’s has droppeddown to Division IV. One of the early favorites this season for state supremacy is South

Euclid Regina. The Royals won four straight state championships from2000-03 – a feat unmatched by any team in Ohio be it boys or girls –and last won a title in 2005. They return 2006-07 state co-player of theyear Shay Selby, three other starters and will likely be a force all sea-son.But there are several other teams that will also be in the running

including 2007 state semifinalist Versailles. The following is our com-prehensive look at the Division III girls basketball race.

Top Players* Laura Bardall, 5-11, G, Sr., Sugarcreek Garaway – Bardall aver-

aged 18.8 points per game game for the Lady Pirates earning second-team All-Ohio honors after scoring 15.0 ppg for 2006 state semifinalistGaraway. She is a cousin of Kristin and Kari Daugherty of two-timedefending D-II state champion Warsaw River View.* Ariana Bowles, 5-9, Sr.,

Sardinia Eastern Brown –The Ohio University recruitwas a third-team All-Ohioselection for Lady Warriorswith 16.5 ppg.* Justine Raterman, 6-1,

Sr., F, Versailles – Tookhome second-team All-Ohiohonors for state semifinalistVersailles last season aver-aging 16.2 ppg. Ratermanrecently commited to theUniversity of Dayton. Shechoose the Flyers overIllinois, Iowa and BolwingGreen. * Lydia Bridenbaugh, 5-

10, Sr., ChillicotheHuntington – Bridenbaughtallied 20.3 ppg game lastseason for Huntington earn-ing third-team All-Ohio hon-ors.* Cayla Keegan, 5-7, Sr.,

Castalia Margaretta –Averaged 18.1 ppg for theLady Polar Bears, which finished No. 12 in the final AP Poll.* Brooke Morgart, 5-7, Sr., Bloomdale Elmwood – Was a third-

team All-Ohio selection after tallying 19.8 ppg for the Lady Royals. * Hannah Nelson, 5-11, Sr., Buckeye Trail – Earned third-team All-

Ohio honors with 17.0 ppg for the Lady Warriors.* Shay Selby, 5-9, Sr., G, S. Euclid Regina – Selby was named

Versailles senior and three-time All-Ohioan Justine Raterman recentlycommited to the University of Dayton.

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DIVISION III

Led by Selby, South EuclidRegina one of the favorites

L

the D-III co-player of the year last season with 23.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg and6.5 steals. The Duke recruit is rated as the top point guard in thecountry in the Class of 2008 by HoopGurlz.com.

Teams to Watch* Cleveland Central Catholic (25-1) – The defending state champi-

ons have just one returning starter, but the Ironmen have plenty of tal-ent at their disposal once again. Obviously the big loss is state playerof the year Jantel Lavender who is now doing her thing at Ohio State.Leading the way this season is the lone returning starter, Elexis

Johnson (5-8, Sr.). She can play multiple positions (mostly the 2 and3) and averaged 8.5 points per game last year. She is being recruitedby several small schools for basketball, but she is also a talented vol-leyball and softball player.A possible future star for

Cleveland Central Catholic is5-6 freshman point guardChyress Lockhart. “She is very gifted,” CCC

head coach Brian Arth said.“She’s very quick and is agood ball handler.”A girl who played a lot off

the bench for the statechamps last year is DanyaleRobinson (5-8, Sr.). Sheaveraged roughly threepoints per game last yearand is the “best shooter” onthe team according to Arth.* South Euclid Regina

(23-2) – The state power-house lost to eventual statechampion Cleveland CentralCatholic in the regional finalslast year (66-63, OT).However, led by arguably thestate’s best player in seniorguard Shay Selby, the Royalsare one of the early favoritesto win it all this season.Selby, a 5-9 senior guard, is a four-year starter and has averaged

over 22 points per game in each of the last two seasons. She hasalready accepted a scholarship from Duke.“A few things stand out about her,” Regina head coach Patrick

Diulus said. “She’s a tremendous competitor and she is an excellentshooter and distributor.”But it will be far from a one-girl show for the Royals this year. Selby

is just one of four returning starters.Shooting guard Emily Hoscilowicz (5-7, Sr.) is a “great outside

shooter” according to her coach and she was the team’s second-lead-ing scorer last year with over 12 points per game.Point guard Taylor Mingo (5-6, So.) is an excellent ball handler and

Diulus says she is already a “big-school recruit.”Post player Mercedes Mitchell (6-0, Sr.) is another returning starter

who is being highly recruited. As for team goals, they don’t change much from year-to-year at

Regina. When you are one of the best programs in the Ohio, winningstate championships is always something that is being discussed.“That is our only goal,” Diulus said. “Winning state is our only goal.

We won districts the last two years but fell a little short in regionals.We played a very good Cleveland Central Catholic team and thegame could have gone either way.

Cleveland Central Catholic senior ElexisJohnson is the lone returning starterfor the defending state champions.

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“So, here at Regina, the expectations are probably always too high.And that can be good and bad. But we are an independent schoolwith no league title to play for, so winning the state championship isalways our goal.”Selby is rated as the No. 13 over prospect in the country by

HoopGirlz.com and the No. 1 PG. Diulus has over 300 career victoriesand is the only coach with seven state titles.* Versailles (23-4) – The 2007 state semifinalists return three

starters this season and will look to defend their regional champi-onship and possibly more.The Tigers will be led by center Justine Ratterman (6-1, Sr.), who

averaged 16.2 points and 10 rebounds a year ago. Shooting guard Emily Bohman (5-8, Sr.) is also a returning starter

for Versailles. She averaged eight points and five rebounds last year.The final returning starter is point guard Karen Smith (5-6, Jr.) who

averaged roughly two points and three assists per game last year.Versailles lost to eventual state champ Cleveland Central Catholic

51-39 last year in the state semifinals. And while the Tigers havesome holes to replace, they think they can get back to Columbusagain this season.“We still have the majority of our scoring and rebounding with

Justine and Emily,” head coach Jacki Stonebraker said. “But we lostsix seniors off last year’s team and they were leaders. We have fourseniors this year and they need to take over the leadership role and Idon’t think that will be a problem.“We would love to get back to state and that is one of our goals. We

look at the first 20 games as practice for the tournament.”The second player off the bench last year was forward Adjoni

Williams (5-10, Jr.), the sister of former North Carolina Tar Heel JawadWilliams. She is an “excellent rebounder” and a solid defender accord-ing to her coach.The other returning player who received valuable minutes off the

bench last year is post Barb Fuller (5-11, Sr.). She averaged twopoints per game last year and Arth is expecting big things from herthis season.“Our main goal is to get to regionals and see what happens from

there,” Arth said.* Anna (24-1) – The Rockets were ranked No. 2 in the state by the

Associated Press for the majority of last season. However, their questfor a perfect season ended with a 48-42 loss to Versailles in theregional semifinals. This season, they must replace star center SarahSchulze who was a two-time first-team All-Ohio selection and is nowplaying at Ohio State.However, despite having just one returning starter, the cupboard is

far from bare. Kelly Barhorst (6-2, Sr.) is one of the best centers in thestate and she averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game lastyear. She will play college volleyball at Ohio State.Other players to watch for Anna include: junior forward Gina

Barhorst, wing Kylie Wildermuth (5-8, So.) and shooting guard AmyFinkenbine (5-6, Jr.).“This year, my top goal is to get everyone playing together,” head

coach Jeff Reese said. “We only have one returning starter, but theteam had a strong summer. Now it’s just a matter of the players get-ting to know how each other plays.”

* Also Keep An Eye On – Albany Alexander (24-3), ColumbusBishop Ready (22-3), Hamilton Badin (16-10), Columbiana Crestview(20-4), Columbiana (18-7; moving up from Division IV), Liberty Center(18-6; up from D-IV), Atwater Waterloo (22-2), Mt. BlanchardRiverdale (22-2), Columbus Grove (22-3), Apple Creek Waynedale(21-3), Marion Pleasant (21-4), Sardinia Eastern (23-3).

By Dave Biddle

DIVISION IV

olumbus Africentric claimed the state’s top prize last year, toppingtwo-time defending champion Berlin Hiland in the regional finalsafter falling to the Lady Hawks the previous two years. The

Nubians then edged Ottoville 42-39 in the state semifinals and cruised toa 44-27 state championship victory over New Knoxville. After graduating only three seniors, Africentric is one of the early

favorites in Ohio’s small-school division, especially with the return ofDivision IV player of the year Tyeasha Moss.But there are several teams that will be challenging the Nubians to raise

the trophy at Ohio State’s Value City Arena in March. State semifinalistsOttoville and Bedford St. Peter Chanel both return the majority of their ros-ters and are aiming for a return trip to Columbus. And Berlin Hilandalways has to be considered a serious threat.

Top Players* Gina Beining, 6-0, Jr., C, Ottoville –Averaged 9.0 points per game

as a sophomore for the Lady Green in their run to the state tournament. * Katie Bubna, 5-11, Jr., Bedford St. Peter Chanel –Averaged 9.5

ppg as a sophomore for the state semifinalist Lady Firebirds, earningthird-team All-Ohio honors. * Courtney Cook, 5-11, Jr., F, Bedford St. Peter Chanel – Cook

poured in 15.1 ppg, leading the Lady Firebirds to Columbus last season. * Ashley Davis, 5-9, Sr., F, Bedford St. Peter Chanel –Averaged 9.5

ppg in the frontcourt for the Lady Firebirds. * Kara Dysert, 6-0, Sr., Ada – Earned third-team All-Ohio honors after

averaging 16.1 ppg for theLady Bulldogs. Dysert’s broth-er, Zach was a second-teamAll-Ohio selection last year andis committed to Miami (Ohio).* Amanda Francis, 5-7, Sr.,

Sidney Fairlawn – Led theLady Jets to a tournament win,averaging 19.3 ppg for theseason and earning first-teamAll-Ohio honors.* Sarah Freytag, 5-9, Sr.,

Sidney Lehman Catholic –Freytag earned second-teamAll-Ohio honors after averag-ing 16.3 ppg.* Ashar Harris, 5-10, Jr., F,

Columbus Africentric –Averaged 12.2 ppg as a soph-omore for the Lady Nubians inthe run to the state title. * Alesia Howard, 5-9, Sr., F,

Columbus Africentric – Had9.7 ppg in the backcourt forthe D-IV state champions. * Jacklyn Kellon, 5-5, Jr.,

G, Bedford St. Peter Chanel – Started as a sophomore averaging 3.7ppg for the state qualifying Lady Firebirds. * Krystal Markward, 5-7, Sr., G, Ottoville – Joined Beining as the only

Bedford Chanel senior Courteny Cookaveraged 15.1 ppg last year as theFirebirds made the state seimfinals.

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Will Columbus Africentricrepeat as state champion?



juniors to start for state semifinalist Ottoville and averaged 8.5 ppg. * Shardai Morris-Fountain, 5-5, Jr., G, Cols. Africentric –

Complemented D-IV player ofthe year Tyeasha Moss with12 ppg as a sophomore forAfricentric. * Tyeasha Moss, 5-8, Sr.,

G/F, Columbus Africentric –First-team All-Ohio selectionand D-IV player of the yearafter averaging 16.7 ppg.Committed to Xavier. * Brooke Niemeyer, 5-6,

Sr., G, New Knoxville – Onlyjunior starter for state runner-up New Knoxville last yearwith 7.0 ppg. * Caitlin Sharp, 5-6, Sr.,

East Canton –Accounted for16.1 ppg for the Wizards,earning second-team All-OhioHonors.* Jena Stutzman, 5-8, Sr.,

Berlin Hiland – The KentState recruit finished last sea-son with 19.1 ppg, leading theLady Hawks to the regionalfinals.

Teams To Watch* Bedford St. Peter Chanel – The Lady Firebirds lose only two seniors

from last year’s 18-8 state semifinalist team. With starters Davis, Cook,Bubna and Kellon all returning to the hardwood for Chanel, the LadyFirebirds are in great position to make a run through the state tournamentand return to Columbus insearch of their first state cham-pionship. Joining the startinglineup will be 5-10 junior for-ward Aly Sarosy.“Our goals are to get back to

Columbus and perform betteronce we get there,” headcoach Hugh McMahon said.“Our group did a good job lastyear in districts and regionalsand we think we can do evenbetter this year.”* Columbus Africentric – If

there was ever a team in bet-ter shape to defend a statechampionship, it would beAfricentric. The Lady Nubianslose senior guard ChynnaBozeman (12.6 ppg) but returnstarters Howard, HarrisMorrison-Fountain and D-IVplayer of the year Moss.Africentric finished 27-1 top-ping its opponents by an aver-age of 38.2 ppg last seasonfalling only to Toledo Waite in the regular season.* Delphos St. John’s – The Lady Blue Jays were one of two Midwest

Athletic Conference schools to qualify for the D-III state tournament alongwith Versailles. St. John’s loses only four seniors, but that includes threestarters – including leading scorer Jeanne Bockey (12.4 ppg). SeniorSarah Clark (9.3 ppg) and Brittany Pohlman (7.4 ppg) started as a juniorand will take on a major leadership role this season. In addition, seniors GEmily Schwieterman, C Stephanie Knippen, F Rachael Miller all return togive the Lady Blue Jays a solid nucleus of players with experience to facethe 2007-08 campaign.* Ottoville – The Lady Green returned to Columbus last year after fin-

ishing as the state runner-up in 2005 only to narrowly fall to Africentric 42-39 in the state semifinals. Coming off a 22-5 record and a No. 10 rankingin the final AP poll, Ottoville graduates three starters in F Erika Kaufman(7.5 ppg), G Erica Vorst (12.0 ppg) and Courtney Schimmoeller (14.0 ppg)and will look to Beining and Markward to lead to 2007-08 campaign.Junior guard Tricia Honigford is a promising player that saw a significant

amount of time on the floor for the Lady Green last season as a sopho-more. Also, Ottoville has been bolstered by the transfer of BrittanyPohlman from Delphos St. John’s. She averaged 10 points last year.“I think we’re going to be

able to compete and will be apretty good team,” head coachDave Kleman said. “But I’vealways said you have to begood, lucky and healthy tomake a run to the state tourna-ment and hopefully we can dothat again.”* New Knoxville – The Lady

Rangers were one of threeMidwest Athletic Conferenceschools to reach the state tour-nament (Versailles andDelphos St. John’s) last yearfinishing state runners-up andranked No. 11 in the final APstate poll. The Lady Rangershave been decimated by grad-uation losing five seniors andfour starters. New Knoxville willlook to Niemeyer for leadershipas well as junior guard CaseyHortman and 5-foot-11 juniorpost Morgan Rieneke who sawlimited time last year.“Last year was our first out

of districts, let alone making it to the state tournament,” head coach TimHegemier said. “We’re excited for this year and we expect good things.The team had a good summer and I think the MAC is up for grabs.”* Berlin Hiland – The perennial powerhouse has won three state titles

since 2000 and is in a good position to make another run to Columbusbehind six seniors. Stutzman was a first-team All-Ohio selection last yearand the Lady Hawks leading scorer is back for her senior campaign.Senior guard Layla Miller (4.6 ppg), sophomore guard Hilary Weaver (5.0ppg), senior F Kristi Yoder (6.9 ppg), junior guard Karli Mast and seniorpost Rebekah Thomas will all put Hiland in contention for a state title. “Being the last team standing is our goal,” head coach David Schlabach

said. “People somewhat expect that in our community and we do as well.”* Also Keep An Eye On – Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (24-1), Cincinnati

Seven Hills (22-4) Covington (21-4), East Canton (22-4), Mansfield St.Peter (17-7), Sidney Lehman Catholic (17-7), South Webster (15-10),Stryker (22-3), Waterford (21-3).

By Dave Biddle

Columbus Africentric senior TyeashaMoss has commited to Xavier. Mosswas first team All-Ohio last year.

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Delphos St. John’s senior Sarah Clark(9.3 ppg) is one of two starters backfor the Blue Jays.


New Knoxville senior Brooke Niemeyeris the lone returning starter for thestate runner-up Rangers.

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Shay Selby

outh Euclid Regina girls basketball coach Pat Diulus oftentalks about the impossible standard his teams must live up toas a perennial power. When Diulus has a player with the talent of Shay Selby,

there is an added expectation.“I tell her if you’re going to be the best player on the floor, you have

to be the best player on every play,” Diulus said. “Every offensiveplay, every defensive play, she has to be the best. Again, it’s animpossible standard to maintain.”But Selby makes the seemingly impossible appear commonplace.

At 5-9, she holds the top ranking in the nation among point guardsaccording to hoopgurlz.com, runs practices and conditioning sessionsfor Regina and is a highly motivated student who wants to study med-icine.She was named Division III co-player of the year in Ohio after

recording 23 points and over six rebounds and six assists per gamein 2006. Selby committed to Duke before last season, only to seethen-coach Gail Goestenkors leave for the University of Texas.Goestenkors was not completely truthful with Selby, who has electedto honor her commitment to the Blue Devils.“When I first heard about it, I called Coach G and she told me she

was retiring,” Selby said. “Then I saw it on TV a few days later thatshe had taken the Texas job. I was pretty upset, but I picked Dukebecause of the academics and because of the team, not just thecoach.”Goestenkors left Duke in April after 15 seasons, winning five

Atlantic Coast Conference titles and making four Final Four appear-ances. She replaces Jody Conradt, who coached Texas for 38 years.The move prompted several changes among the top womens’ pro-grams and Duke wasted little time finding a replacement. FormerMichigan State coach Joanne McCallie was named coach of the BlueDevils on April 20.“Shay was satisfied with the new coaching staff coming in,” Diulus

said. “She liked Gail, but Coach McCallie has a good pedigree fromMichigan State. Shay was comfortable with her, so she decided tostay the course.”The high profile coaching changes and the relative purgatory it puts

recruits in are just a few ways that the girl’s game is becoming moresimilar to the boys.“It has grown so much and frankly it’s grown out of control,” Diulus

said. “It used to be that girls didn’t make their decisions untilNovember of their senior year, or at least until they had an officialvisit. Now, you have girls making decisions months and monthsbefore that. They’re committing after they make their unofficial visitsnow.”Selby typifies the new breed of girls basketball recruiting. She is a

multi-dimensional player who not only gets exposure through playingfor Regina, but showcases her talent throughout the off-season inAAU competition. Selby gains valuable knowledge from playing

against the best in the country, and knows she can apply it to the nextlevel.“I’ve just been working on my defense,” Selby said. “It’s a big

change because guards are much quicker and bigger at the collegiatelevel.”Selby and Regina are used to great competition during their annual

run through the state tournament. Last season, a classic match-up inthe regional finals pitted Regina against Jantel Lavender (Ohio State)and Cleveland Central Catholic. An exhausting win went to CentralCatholic, the eventual state champion, 66-63 in overtime.“That was maybe the greatest girls basketball game of all-time,”

Diulus said. “You had two great teams, two superstars with Shay andJantel Lavender … it was like a heavyweight fight.”The loss continues to stick with Diulus and Selby, who have not

won a state title since 2004 when Selby was a freshman.“We want to have that feeling again,” Diulus said. “We lost to the

state champion and that’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s not agreat year here unless you win the whole thing.”Selby began her varsity career by averaging 15.4 points per game

as a freshman. She averaged 22.1 points per game as a sophomore.Selby and Diulus both talk about the motivation of starting and fin-

ishing her great career with a state championship.“I definitely want two state championships,” Selby said. “That’s why

we’ve been getting the team together, working on our conditioningand chemistry. We’re getting everybody together so we can all pullour own weight and not rely on just one or two people.”Selby welcomes the impossible standard that is set for her and her

teammates.“I like it, I like all the expectations,” Selby said. “Whenever we go to

another gym or see another team, they’re always intimidated by thename and what we’ve accomplished here before. But when we fail orlose a game people always ask why, like we’re supposed to win everysingle game.”The pressure comes with the territory for Diulus and Regina, but

with a weapon like Selby, the expectations are often met if not sur-passed.“That’s the neat thing about having Shay on your team,” Diulus

said. “She’s not just a shooter; she’s a hell of a shooter. She’s not justa ballhandler; she’s a hell of a ballhandler. Then, I can put her downon the block because she has great post moves. She can play threedifferent positions and get it done from anywhere.”Diulus allowed himself to compare Selby to one of the greatest bas-

ketball players ever during the high praise of his point guard.“She hates to lose and she loves to play basketball,” Diulus said. “If

I called her up and said we had a game to play right now, she would-n’t say why, she’d ask where the game was. She has the whole pack-age. And people talk about Michael Jordan and wonder how he gotas good as he was. Jordan hated to lose, he just couldn’t stand it.Shay is the same way.” — OH

STORY BY GLENN FORBES

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Cierra Bravard

Sandusky Perkins senior CierraBravard is ranked the No. 2 postplayer in the country in the Classof 2008 by hoopgurlz.com.


Captain Crunch


Cierra BravardSTORY BY MATT NATAL I

er friends and teammates mayaffectionately call her ‘C’ butwhen Cierra Bravard stepsonto the basketball court, shebrings nothing but her ‘A-Game.’

The Sandusky Perkins senior catapulted tothe No. 7-rated prospect in the country for theclass of 2008 and the No. 2-rated center –according to hoopgurlz.com – following a staterunner-up finish last season and a dominatingsummer on the AAU circuit. Last season, Bravard averaged 23.4 points,

8.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game in lead-ing the 21-4 Lady Pirates to their first trip to thestate tournament. In doing so, she was namedDivision II co-player of the year and was afinalist for the coveted Ms. Basketball award. “She’s a tremendous talent,” said Perkins

head coach Ray Neill. “I like to tell people thatshe’s made herself into a basketball player andnot just someone who is 6-foot-4 and playsbasketball. She’s a basketball player now whohappens to be 6-foot-4.”That maturation process, both as a player

and a person, began in middle school asBravard and Neill have climbed the ranksthrough junior high and high school basketballtogether. Neill first noticed Bravard’s potentialat an early age and became her coach in sev-enth grade.“Back in those years, it may have taken you

a while to figure out if she was right-handed orleft-handed,” Neill said. “She used to just pitch(the ball) up there with two hands. She wasn’ta natural or a prodigy at the time – she’s hadto work hard at it. Neill recalled the Sandusky Bay Conference

championship game Bravard’s seventh gradeseason in which she shot 0-for-9 from the foulline.“We worked real hard with her on her game

in seventh grade and it took time for her towork on that shot with her right hand. She’s puta lot of time in. She’s grown as a basketballplayer and she’s grown as a person along withthat,” he said.Neill took over the Perkins girls high school

basketball program Bravard’s freshman yearas the developmental process continued forboth Bravard as a player and Neill as a coach.

Each season with Neill on the bench andBravard on the court, the Lady Pirates haveadvanced farther in the tournament. “We’ve had a little bit of success over my

tenure and her tenure overlapping here,” Neillsaid. Perkins was a sectional finalist Bravard’s

freshman year with her contributing 13.6points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game.She broke into the starting lineup midwaythrough the season despite some apprehen-sion on her part.“We knew she was going to be able to help

us so we talked to her about it and asked ifshe thought she was ready,” Neill recalled.“She was hesitant and comfortable coming offthe bench but then we got her into the startinglineup and she has been a staple since.“She will be the first one to tell you that the

five seniors on the team her freshman yearwere a great group for her to come into thevarsity environment. They were pretty goodbasketball players and intelligent kids whoaccepted Cierra and helped her in the learningprocess,” he added.Perkins advanced to the regional finals in

Bravard’s sophomore season falling 44-43 tostate runner-up Copley. She earned first teamAll-Ohio honors, tallying 22.0 points, 9.1rebounds and 4.2 blocks for the Lady Pirates.After falling short in last year’s trip toColumbus, Perkins is aiming to take that finalstep towards a state championship andBravard worked hard in the off-season inhopes of raising the trophy in March.“I thought her summer was excellent. I

thought she did a lot of great things,” saidBravard’s AAU coach Andre Gault. “She gotinto better shape and got a better understand-ing of what she can do physically. She domi-nated and played really well and in everyevent. She just got better and better.“I thought the biggest thing was she got an

understanding of what she could do and whatshe should be doing,” he added. “I started seeing her actually using her foot-

work and getting around and working aroundpeople rather than overpowering and goingthrough people and she expanded her range alittle more. “On the defensive end, she is better at tim-

ing the blocks and has a new understanding ofhow to actually work and get rebounds. Iwatched her go from getting 10 or 12 reboundsa game at the beginning of the spring torebounding 10 or 12 by the half.”And like the senior leaders that took her

under their wings her freshman year, Bravardembraced a leadership role as she developedthrough the summer. “Her leadership took a huge leap,” Gault

said. “I watched her make sure she was keep-ing on her teammates. She was able to lookpeople in the eye and work together to get itdone. Before you knew it, they were winningevery tournament they would go to becauseshe was able to lead as the best player outthere.“She became a better teammate, a better

leader and just grew all summer.”As she has developed as a player the last

several years, Bravard has become one of themost coveted prospects in the country as sheis entertaining scholarship offers from FloridaState, Maryland, Ohio State, Pittsburgh,Kentucky and Miami (Fla.) to name just a few. “I'm still really open,” Bravard told

hoopgurlz.com. “I will take official visits. I don't know how

many, but I won't make a decision until after. Iwant to go somewhere that already has a suc-cessful program, where I can make an impact,play my game and not have to change mystyle.”And like the senior class that contributed to

her early success in high school, Bravard cred-its her current teammates for the acclaim sheearned through high school, according to Neill.“Cierra would be the first one to tell you that

her teammates have been such big part of hersuccess and our success,” he said.While Bravard may not have started off as a

natural talent at a young age, she has honedher skills through hard work with help from herteammates, coaches and family to becomeone of the top girls basketball players in thecountry.“She’s worked at it and loves being in the

gym. She has great support from her team-mate and has a great family and we’re proudand happy of her accomplishments,” Neill said.— OH

H


Wrest l ing Prev iew

Austintown-Fitch senior

Tony Jameson (below) is looking to win hisfourth straight Division I title. Jameson haswins at 135, 119 and 103. Here he wrestleswith runnner-up Richie Spicel of Brunswickin last year’s 135 final.

Photo by Greg Beers

Four of a Kind


Wrest l ing Preview

he Division I crop boasts some big names at the lowerweights. Ohio finished with five of the nation’s top 10 wrestlersin the 103-pound weight class (as ranked by

wrestling411usa.com), three of them in Division I. Those three are state champion Sam White (jr., No. 4 nationally)

of Massillon Perry; runner-up Jamie Clark (soph., No. 5 nationally)of Lakewood St. Edward, who lost a 3-2 overtime decision to Whitein the finals; and sophomore Jerome Robinson of Cleveland St.Ignatius, a third-place finisher. The 112-pound weight class also featured a nationally-ranked

underclassman in junior Kyle Lang (No. 9 nationally) of Brecksville-Broadview Heights. But Lang finished third at 112, while sophomoreNick Sulzer of Lakewood St. Edward captured second place. Bothwill be formidable this year. Also back will be seventh-place finisherand 2006 103-pound champ Steve Mitcheff of Elyria. An interesting story unfolded at 119, where two-time runner-up

and projected champ RyanFields of West ChesterLakota West fell in thefinals in overtime to unbeat-en Brad Squire ofWadsworth. Not only didSquire, a freshman at thetime, accomplish the rarefeat of an unbeaten (34-0)state championship fresh-man season, but he dealtFields his third straight sec-ond-place finish. Fields, asenior this season, will betrying to avoid being a four-time runner-up while Squirewill be out for an encore.Another name to watchfrom last year’s 119 crop isCincinnati Elder seniorTommy Pretty, a third-placefinisher. The 125-pound class

was the home of one ofOhio’s most well-known

names in Lakewood St. Edward star Collin Palmer, who won hissecond consecutive state title after winning at 112 in 2006. Palmer, now a junior, was rated in the top 10 nationally in his

weight class and will be once again in 2007 as he continues on apath to join brother Lance as a four-time state champion. Two-timethird place finisher Seth Horner (jr., third at 112 in 2006) ofMassillon Perry is another strong competitor to come out of lastyear’s 125 class. Two of last year’s high placers at 130 return in third-place winner

Joe Parra (jr.) of Barberton and senior Neil Birt of St. Edward, whofinished fourth. The 135-pound class hosted two outstanding junior wrestlers who

will be aiming to go out on top as seniors. Tony Jameson ofAustintown-Fitch, a national top-10 wrestler at the 135-pound class,will be attempting to join the list of Ohio’s all-time elite as he shootsfor his fourth straight state championship. Jameson (44-1) won at135 after wins at 103 and 119 as a freshman and sophomore. Therunner-up in 135, senior Richie Spicel of Brunswick, lost his onlymatch of the year (43-1) in the finals to Jameson after finishing firstat 130 as a sophomore. Both will be among Division I’s top competi-tors. The middle weight classes saw two three-time champions finish

their careers with titles in Solon’s Kevin Hardy (145) and St.Edward’s Sean Nemec (160) along with two-time champ ThomasStraughn (152) of Massillon Perry. Among the placers from thoseclasses who will be back looking for a crown in 2008 are JesseDong of Westerville North (Sr., 49-3, 145 runner-up) and Chris Kleinof Westerville North (sr., 152 fourth). Only one returning state champion remains – senior Brian Roddy

of Lakewood St. Edward. Roddy (38-1) finished first at 171 after asecond-place finish in 2006. He could be among the top-ratedwrestlers in the country at his weight class this year. Others to watch from the higher weight classes include Barberton

senior Adam Cogar (runner-up at 215), Cincinnati Elder juniorOrlando Scales (3rd at 215) two-time placer Andrew Tumlin ofHarrison (jr., fifth at 215). From a team perspective, there might be nothing easier to predict

in the entire world than who is going to win the team title in DivisionI. Lakewood St. Edwardcaptured their 11th straightstate title in 2007 and their23rd overall, setting twostate records with 14 quali-fiers and 229 team points. The Eagles may not put

up such a mighty showingthis year, but no oneexpects to see a change atthe top. On the strength of return-

ing standouts such asPalmer, Roddy, Clark,Sulzer, and Britt, along withreturning qualifiers in seniorClarence Semple and juniorAndrew Gasber, St. Edwardwill most likely add anothertitle to their long list. Runner-up Cincinnati

Moeller returns five statequalifiers while third-placefinisher Massillon Perryreturns three.

DIVISION I

Wadsworth sophomore Brad Squire (left) and West Chester Lakota West seniorRyan Fields (right) are two names to remember. Squire beat Fields in last year’s119-pound final to cap an undefeated run. Fields is a three-time state runner-up.

Photo by Greg Beers

T

St. Edward shooting for 12thstraight title, 24th overall

hio is never lacking in quality wrestling, and fans canexpect the same once again this year. Lakewood St.Edward and St. Paris Graham will be looking to keep theirstate championship streaks alive in Divisions I and II, whileTroy Christian will be trying to start one of their own inDivision III.

The crop of individual competitors is strong as usual, with onewrestler – Austintown-Fitch senior Tony Jameson – aiming tobecome Ohio’s 16th four-time state champion. Without knowing for sure yet what weight classes many wrestlers

will wind up competing in, here is a look at some of the names towatch this year across the state of Ohio.

OSTORY BY K IRK LARRABEE


Wrest l ing Prev iew

ome of America’s finest wrestlers can be found in Division II,although they are mostly at one school. Nine-time state champSt. Paris Graham is locked and loaded, returning nine wrestlers

who qualified for the state championships in 2007. It starts with junior David Taylor, a two-time state champion at 103

who finished the 2006-07 campaign rated as the No. 1 wrestler inAmerica at his weight class. Taylor (44-1) will be a heavy favorite towin his third title this year. Junior James Inghram of Hunting Valley University School, junior

Alex Minnard of Lancaster Fairfield Union, and senior WayneGarbrandt of Uhrichsville Claymont – the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers, respectively – will also be back this year. The 112-pound class saw a freshman winner in Cody Garbrandt

of Uhrichsville Claymont. Garbrandt bested Graham’s Zach Neibert,a sophomore at the time. Both will be names to watch from lastyear’s 112 bracket as will third-place finisher and three-time placerJohnny Papesh of Aurora (sr.) and two-time placers in senior KyleGilchrist of Jefferson Area, junior Jacob Garringer of WashingtonCourt House Miami Trace, and junior Nate Westfall of Mentor LakeCatholic. Champions from the 119 and 125 class have graduated, but some

fine wrestlers return, including 119 second-place finisher Brad Wulkie(soph.) of University School, 125 second-place finisher TielerSeverance (sr.) of Thornville Sheridan, and 125 third-place finisherand two-time placer Brian Stephens (sr.) of St. Paris Graham. Two talented and experienced wrestlers return from the 130 class

– state champion Aaron Sulzer (sr.) of Parma Heights Holy Nameand third-place finisher Chase Skonieczny (sr.) of Cuyahoga FallsWalsh Jesuit. The 135 class yielded a surprising result last year assenior Jeffrey Pelton of Bellevue upset two-time state champion BenJordan of St. Paris Graham, but Jordan (43-5) is back for his senioryear and will be rated among the top wrestlers in the nation at hisweight class of choice. The top finishers at the 140-pound class all graduated, but plenty

comes back from 145, start-ing with state championCoby Boyd of St. ParisGraham. Boyd, a senior thisyear, finished the season45-2 and was rated amongthe top 10 nationally at the140-pound class. Alsoreturning is runner-up KirkTank (sr.) of Oak Harbor andthird-place finisher DannyMichaels (sr.) of Clyde. One of the top returning

wrestlers in Division II willbe 152-pound champ EricCubberly (51-1) ofPemberville Eastwood. Cubberly came away with

his first state title last sea-son after placing as a fresh-man and sophomore. Alsowatch for another other oneof the Uhrichsville ClaymontGarbrandts, Zach, whoplaced fourth at 152 last

year as a sophomore. The 160-pound class lost perhaps the top wrestler in Ohio last

year in three-time state champ Colt Sponseller of Millersburg WestHolmes (now at Ohio State). But that weight class returns anotherGraham senior standout in fourth-place finisher Zac Thomusseit. Coming back from 171 will be one of the premier wrestlers of the

higher weight classes in senior Cody Magrum of Oak Harbor, whowon 171 as both a sophomore and junior and will be shooting for titlenumber three, as well as third-place finisher Jeremy Foster ofPemberville Eastwood (sr.). Among the names to watch from the upper weight classes are 189

second-place finisher Matt Fisher (sr.) of Sandusky Perkins, 189fourth-place finisher Kevin Bailey of Walsh Jesuit (sr.), 215 fourth-place finisher Zach Pummill of Germantown Valley View (sr.), heavy-weight runner-up and two-time placer John Hiles of Columbus DeSales (sr.), and Graham heavyweight and two-time placer AdamWalls (jr.).

DIVISION II

S

Graham loaded for evenstronger run than last year

Pemberville Eastwood senior Eric Cubberly captured his first state titlelast season at 152-pounds. A tree-time state placer, Cubberly went 51-1last year. He was third as a sophomore and eighth as a freshman.


St. Paris Graham senior Coby Boyd(right) captured his first state title at145-pounds last season.

Phot

o by

Nick

Falz

eran

o

Uhrichsville Claymont sophomore Cody Garbrandt (top) and Grahamjunior Zach Neibert (bottom) will both be in contention for state titlesthis season. Garbrandt beat Neibert for the 112-pound title last year.


Wrest l ing Preview


hile Divisions I and II saw the continuation of streaks withteam titles from Lakewood St. Edward and St. Paris Graham,Division III crowned a first-time champion as Troy Christian

narrowly beat out Marion Pleasant, 154-151.5. Both teams should bestrong again this year, with Pleasant having an impressive 10 under-classman qualifiers on last year’s squad and Troy Christian havingsix, two of whom were state champions.This year’s crop of D-III wrestlers is headlined by last year’s 103-

pound champion, Logan Stieber of Monroeville. Stieber, just a fresh-man in 2006-07, was rated as the No. 2 wrestler in America at the103-pound class, with his only loss coming to No. 1-ranked DavidTaylor of St. Paris Graham. Stieber will likely once again be the pre-mier wrestler in Division III and will be a heavy favorite in the weightclass of his choice. The second and third-place wrestlers at 103,Justin Hall of Massillon Tuslaw (jr.) and Jimmy Householder of WestJefferson (sr.), will also be back and will be forces to be reckonedwith.Last year’s 112-pound class featured two outstanding competitors

in Ben Sergent of Troy Christian and Troy Opfer of Sandusky St.Mary. Sergent bested Opfer (63-1) in the state championship, givingTroy Christian a crucial win in their state title quest. Both wrestlers arethree-time state placers and will be back for one more go-round thisyear as seniors, as will third-place finisher Zack Pope of MarionPleasant (sr.).The 119-pound class lost all three top finishers but returns fourth-

place finisher Andrew Clark of Reading, who is a senior and two-timeplacer.The 125-pound weight class champion, senior Daniel Kolodzik of

Dayton Miami Valley School, is one of the more interesting stories inthe state. Kolodzik, despite being the only wrestler at his school, wonhis second state champi-onship last year and will bevying for a third this season.Also back from 125 will berunner-up and two-time plac-er Zac Hancock of TroyChristian (jr.). Last year’s top 130-pound

finishers are all wrestlers towatch this year. State cham-pion Ryan Gambill ofCasstown Miami East (sr.)captured his second title lastyear over some tough com-petitors. Those included run-ner-up Josh Demas ofMarion Pleasant (soph.),third-place winner and three-time placer Lee Schumakerof Arcadia (sr.) and fourth-place finisher Jordan Thomeof Troy Christian (jr.). The 135-pound class saw

one of Troy Christian’s three

champions in Casey Thome,but Thome, a senior lastyear, has graduated. Runner-up Robert Chilson of Bellaire(jr.) and fourth-place finisherZach Zolman of GalionNorthmor (sr.) both return.The third Troy Christianchampion, Zach Toal, con-quered the 140-pound classlast season in and will bepicked by many to be achampion again as a juniorthis year. Also returning from140 will be fourth-place fin-isher and 2006 130-poundchamp Zach Nelson ofLondon Madison Plains (sr.).The 145-pound class saw

a bit of a surprise championin David Stiltner of AppleCreek Waynedale. Stiltnerwill be back for his senioryear this year, as will runner-up Kevin Cloran of CincinnatiMadeira.

The 152-pound champion, Jedd Moore (sr.), will be one of MarionPleasant’s heavy hitters this year. Moore lost only one match on theseason (43-1), coming to D-II champion Eric Cubberly of PembervilleEastwood, after a second-place finish as a sophomore. Moore is one of two state champions returning for Marion Pleasant,

the other being senior Steve Wilson, who won at 160 after placingtwice in prior years. Like Moore, Wilson only dropped one match lastseason (48-1). Two other wrestlers to watch from 160 will be two-timeplacers Colin Heasley of Worthington Christian (sr.) and Derrick Yantof Delta (sr.). Each of the top five place winners at the 171-pound class graduat-

ed, leaving sixth-place finisher Spencer Adams (sr.) as the highestreturning competitor. The returning crop from 189 is led by third- and

fourth-place winners JaredNeff of ApplecreekWaynedale (sr.) and StuartMiller of Delphos Jefferson(jr.).The 215-pound and 285-

pound classes also saw sev-eral wrestlers move on tograduation, with the fifth-place finisher, Doug Randall(sr.) of JamestownGreenview, being the topplace winner returning from215 and the fourth-place fin-isher, Jacob Southwick ofTontogany Otsego (sr.),being the highest-rankedplacer from 285. Others towatch include two returningqualifiers from MarionPleasant in juniors ColtonBowers (215) and AaronEdington (285).

DIVISION III

Miami Valley School senior DanielKolodzik claimed his second state titlelast year at 125-pounds.

Photo by Nick FalzeranoW

Troy Christian, MarionPleasant set to face-off again

Monroeville sophomore Logan Stieber (top) and Massillon Tuslaw senior JustinHall (bottom) return after facing off in last year’s Division III 103-pound final.Stieber won the match (20-5) and the state championship.


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Ohio High November 2007