Ohio High May 2008 by Eric Frantz

he Miami Valley has had storied success in every high school sport the OHSAA gives a state championship trophy for. Dayton is especially deep in football, basketball, soccer, wrestling and track. At the rate Miami Valley teams are going though, bowling may be the sport that part of the state becomes most known for. Take it for what its worth and consider that there have been just two official state tournaments in boys and girls bowling, but both have been dominated by teams from the Miami Valley. No joke. It’s crazy. Lets look at the girls first. From state results, one can say in confidence that the Greater Western Ohio Conference is the state’s toughest affiliation. No contest. Hands down. Second is irrelevant. The last two years, GWOC teams have taken seven of the top eight places combined. Last year Beavercreek won the state title. This year Centerville did. Fairborn was second both times. Individually, GWOC girls own eight of the top 10 individual places the last two years and captured both state titles (Fairborn’s Eric Frantz Brandi Fulton in 2007, Fairmont’s Jennifer Grady in 2008). After a “slow” start, the boys are gaining speed fast. Last year, Dayton-area schools placed 1-3 at state with Coldwater beating out St. Henry and Fairmont, respectively, for the state title. Individually, the Miami Valley produced just one Top 6 bowler. This year things were dramatically different. In 2008, Miami Valley teams took five of the Top 6 team spots, with Stebbins claiming the state title. Centerville was second and defending champ Coldwater third. Individually five of the Top 6 bowlers were also from the Dayton-area with Urbana’s Brice Ream winning the state title. So far Miami Valley bowlers are rolling a perfect game – as is Ohio High. In our latest issue we unveil recruiting editor Duane Long’s Top 100 football prospects for the Class of 2009. Garfield Heights senior-to-be and defensive end Melvin Fellows headlines the list. Fellows is an Illinois recruit - for now. No. 2 is Licking Valley’s Storm Klein, a linebacker/running back who is headed for Ohio State. Who is No. 3? Read on. Lakewood St. Edward recently wrapped an outstanding winter sports season in which two sports (ice hockey and wrestling) won state titles and another (boys basketball) was state runner-up. The Eagles heroics are documented in our “winter sports recap” as is every other school and athlete that had success on the state level recently. We’ve dedicated 15 pages to the boys and girls state basketball tournaments, which were each one of the most memorable in recent memory. We’re also proud of our state wrestling coverage, which includes a photo of every weight class winner in each division, and we commend Austintown Fitch senior Tony Jameson on becoming the 16th wrestler in state history to win four state titles. Jameson is headed to Ohio State. Other key pieces in this issue of Ohio High include the release of the Huntington Bank/Ohio High players of the year in all winter sports and coaches of the year in boys and girls basketball; an updated overview on Ohio’s top boys basketball prospects through the Class of 2011; previews of the Ohio North-South and Big 33 all-star football games; and the release of our first annual Ohio High All-State Tournament teams for both boys and girls basketball. Enjoy.

Volume 5

Issue 6

Editor in Chief Steve Helwagen Managing Editor Eric Frantz Assistant Editor Matt Natali Recruiting Editor Duane Long Staff Writers Kirk Larrabee, Jeff Rapp, Dave Biddle Contributors

David Gatwood, Ian Mara, Frank DiRenna, Marty Gitlin

Photography

Gary Housteau, Nick Falzerano, Stephanie Porter, John Ritter, Greg Beers, Carol Anderson, Brad Morris, Brian Cook, Osvaldo Figueroa

Printing Miami Valley Sports Magazine (MVP) miamivalleysports.com

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Ohio High Magazine is published bi-monthly, six times a year. Ohio High is an independent source of news and features relating to Ohio high school sports. Ohio High strives to report information based on fact, but assumes no responsability for any inaccuracies that may appear within the pages. Ohio High is not authorized, sponsored or sanctioned by any university, athletic conference or athletic governing body. Subscriptions are available for $29.95 and may be purchased online at jjhuddle.com. Single copy price is $6.95 each. c Copyright 2008, Ohio High Magazine and MVP Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. COVER PHOTOS: Gary Housteau, Nick Falzerano & Greg Beers

Eric Frantz Managing Editor

Upcoming Issues

Going forward, here are general topics that will be covered in each edition of Ohio High: * July (Due out June 15) – H.S. football preview, spring sports recap * September (Due out Aug. 15) – Top 100 senior prospect bios updated * November (Due out Oct. 15) – Basketball preview issue, football playoff preview * January (Due out Dec. 15) – Fall sports and football reecap, Top 100 seniors bios updated * March (Due out Feb. 15) – Basketball and wrestling tournament previews. Check out JJHuddle.com every day for season previews and daily coverage of Ohio high school athletics. For subscription information on Ohio High, check the Internet at www.jjhuddle.com

JJHUDDLE.COM THE SOURCE FOR OHIO HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Winter Sports Recap

Winter Sports Players Of the Year

A look back at the state hockey, gymnastics, boy’s and girl’s swimming and bowling state tournaments

The Huntington Bank/Ohio High Magazine Players of the Year in hockey, gymnastics, swimming and bowling

Photo by Osvaldo Figueroa

Boys Basketball State Tournament

Newark, Chillicothe, Ottawa-Glandorf and New Knoxville nab titles Ohio High All-Tournament Team

23 25 28

Huntington Bank/Ohio High Boys Players of the Year

Huntington Bank/Ohio High Boys Coach of the Year

36 Girls Basketball State Tournament

Mount Notre Dame, Berlin Hiland add to hoops legacies; Versailles, Kettering Alter add first girls state titles to trophy cases

11 Photo by Woodward Photographic

Ohio High All-Tournament Team

42 43

Huntington Bank/Ohio High Girls Player and Coach of the Year

State Wrestling Recap

Lakewood St. Edward. St. Paris Graham and Troy Christian all repeat as divisional state champions Huntington Bank/Ohio High Wrestler of the Year

Duane Long’s Top 100 Prospects

Photo by Gary Housteau

The first release of the top high school football prospects in Ohio in the Class of 2009

Also...

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Garfield Heights defensive end Melvin Fellows debuts as the No. 1 football prosect in the state

St. Charles Ends St. Xavier’s Swimming Reign In D-I

Boys Basketball Recruiting Update

Updated Ohio High Cup Rankings: Three Tied For Lead All-Star Football Game Previews: North-South And Big 33

50 Photo by Gary Housteau

Winter Sports Round Up

STORY BY OHIO HIGH STAFF he winter sports season was another exciting one in Ohio. A traditional power reclaimed the ice hockey crown, while swimming saw one long win streak extended and another ended. In gymnastics, another dynasty claimed yet another title while in bowling, the Miami Valley flexed

its muscle. Below we take a look at these state championships. Recaps of boys basketball and girls basketballl are found on pages 17 and 36, respctively. The wrestling recap is on page 45.

Ice Hockey

During its three-day stay in Columbus, the Lakewood St. Edward ice hockey team had to contend with Mother Nature, the suspension of two of its players and finally a game opponent from Gates Mills Gilmour Academy. In the end, none of it was enough to keep the Eagles from winning an 11th OHSAA crown, the final step a 3-1 win over Gilmour Academy in the title game played March 10 in front of 684 spectators at Nationwide Arena. Both days of the tournament were pushed back 24 hours due to the snowfall in central Ohio. St. Ed's played against Gilmour Academy without two regulars, lost because of a fight that marred the conclusion of its semifinal win the day before. None of it mattered, as St. Ed's added another championship to its state record total. The Eagles (29-11-3) took the lead in the second period and held on down the stretch, taking advantage of outstanding penalty-killing to preserve the victory. After taking a two-goal lead early in the third, three St. Ed's penalties had the team a man-down for more than half of the game's final 12 minutes. The championship was the first for St. Ed's coach Rob Whidden, who took over the program from his father Bob three years ago. Junior T.J. Colvin broke the scoreless tie just over two minutes into what would become a dominant 15 minutes for the Eagles. The St. Ed's forward ripped a slap-shot from center ice, just above the circles. Gilmour goalie Austin Severson deflected the shot with his glove, but the puck fell behind him into the net at the 2:08 mark of the second. St. Ed's outshot Gimour 26-4 in the period. But Gilmour (23-18-1) appeared to level the score midway through the period when Zach Buehner hit a slap shot high and left of the St. Ed's goal. The puck bounced off the boards, diagonally backwards to the rear of Eagles goalie Robby Ginsburg. Reaching back to cover the puck, Ginsburg inadvertently hit it into his own net just as a

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Winter Sports Round Up group of players knocked the goal off its moorings. Though television replay clearly showed the puck in the St. Ed's net before the goal was disturbed, the ruling on the ice was to waive it off. Having dodged the bullet, St. Ed's added to its lead seconds before the end of the period via the power play. With four seconds on the clock, John Plagens beat Severson with a topshelf wrister from the right face-off spot. Each team scored in what was an even third period. Gilmour pulled to within 2-1 at 1:48 when Alex Moss got the puck off the face-off and fired a wrist-shot through traffic from above the left circle. Less than two minutes later Danny Geiger of St. Ed's drove down the left boards from center ice, eventual-

"It’s just such a great feeling,” said Centerville junior Kate Slanker. “We were all pretty confident coming in that we could win it.” Centerville had defeated McDonald (3-0) and Kettering Fairmont (3-1) earlier in the championship rounds. Fairborn, state runnerup for a second consecutive year, knocked off Struthers and Troy to reach the final. The final four teams were all members of the 17-team GWOC, and the five highest team scores in the three-game morning session were from the Southwest District. Slanker, who finished 13th in the state in the individual competition, bowled No.1 for Centerville in the team tournament. All eight of her frames against Fairborn were closed and she led-off three of the four games with

onship when it defeated Centerville in the finals of eight-team championship round, 3-1, at Tiki Lanes in Lancaster. The Indians defeated Westerville Central (32) and Kettering Fairmont (3-0) to make the finals, while Centerville, seeded sixth after the preliminaries, knocked off Austintown-Fitch (31) and defending state champion Coldwater (3-2). "It was meant to be for us," said Stebbins coach Don Brown, whose team placed 10th in the state last year. "This time we weren't content with just being here. We thought we had a shot at winning it." Stebbins, which used a lineup of three sophomores and two seniors, defeated Centerville by scores of 176-139, 190-213, 219-208 and 217-206.

Photo by Greg Beers

Riverside Stebbins won the boys bowling team state title by edging Centerville in the finals.

Centerville captured the girls bowling team title with a win over fellow Greater Western Ohio Conference member Fairborn.

Urbana senior Brice Ream (right) won the individual state bowling title, while Westerville Central’s Jay Foote was second.

ly flipping the puck over Severson's right shoulder at 3:10. Neither team found the net in the first, despite three penalties and more than five minutes of power play hockey. The closest either team came was Colvin, who hit the left post on a point-blank slap-shot at the 9:32 mark. Each team was credited with five shots in the period. – Ian Mara

strikes. Jennifer Grady, a senior from Fairmont, was the girls medalist after bowling a 730-series. The score placed her 65 pins ahead of the second place finisher. "It's really a nice thing," Grady said of being able to call herself state champion. Grady's three games were highlighted by an opening score of 276. The highest game of the day rolled in the individual competition; Grady followed a spare with nine consecutive strikes, and then ended with another spare. It was the second-highest competitive game of the season for Grady. – Ian Mara

"We were preparing for this all season," said Stebbins' Johnathon Miller, who placed fourth in the individual competition and was the critical No. 5 bowler during the baker rounds. "We knew we wanted to come here and win this." Urbana senior Brice Ream captured the individual state championship with a threegame score of 763. Ream beat Westerville Central's Jay Foote by a 48-pin margin. "It's awesome," Ream said. "It feels amazing." Ream's state title came in his first appearance at the state event. He had not qualified even beyond the sectional tournament the past two winters. The 763-series was the second-highest of Ream's bowling career. – Ian Mara

Girls Bowling

Centerville captured the team state championship at Tiki Lanes in Lancaster when it defeated Fairborn in an all-Greater Western Ohio Conferecne final. The Elks handled the Skyhawks 210-164, 176-220, 205-159 and 203-145.

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Boys Bowling

Riverside Stebbins won the team champi-

Photo by Greg Beers

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Winter Sports Round Up Girls Swimming and Diving

Division I: Upper Arlington won its fourth consecutive state championship and fifth in six years when it had a state record 419 points. Cincinnati Ursuline Academy was runner-up for the sixth straight year with 222 points. UA was led by junior Darcy Fishback, who won her third straight 100-meter butterfly with state and tournament records (53.85) and was on the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams that both set state and tournament records (1:44.47 in the 200 medley relay; 1:35.08 in the 200 freestyle relay). Another standout for the Golden Bears was senior Beth Loe, who won the 500 freestyle and was on the winning 400 freestyle relay,

Photo by Osvaldo Figueroa

Shawnee was the runner-up with 142. Hawken was led by senior Brittany Strumbel, who won her third straight championship in the 200 freestyle, won her second consecutive 500 freestyle and swam on the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Other Hawks standouts were junior Brittany Rospierski, who won the 100 breaststroke with state and tournament records (1:04.04) and was on the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays; freshman Alana Arnold, who won the 100 butterfly and was on the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, and senior Jennifer Aronoff, who was on the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. Other highlights of the tournament saw Milford Center Fairbanks sophomore Margo Geer defend her championships in the 50 and

Photo by Osvaldo Figueroa

Upper Arlington won its fourth straight D-I girls swimming title and fifth in six years with a state record 419 points.

Gates Mills Hawken captured its ninth straight D-II swimming state title and 12th in 13 years. Hawken has 18 titles total.

while senior Katie Chin, junior Maddie Armiage and freshman Kayla Hammerberg all swam on two of the winning relay teams. Also in the division, Columbus Bishop Watterson sophomore Gracie Finnegan won both the 50 and 100 freestyles; Westerville North senior Lindsay Lash defended her title in the 100 backstroke with a tournament record (55.29); Cincinnati Ursuline Academy senior Sarah Tanner defended her championship in the 200 individual medley, and Powell Olentangy Liberty junior Ashley Specht defended her title in the 100 breaststroke. Division II: Gates Mills Hawken won its ninth straight Division II title, captured its 12th state title in 13 years and raised its all-time lead in girls state swimming and diving championships to 18 when it had 358 points. Lima

100 freestyles, setting state and tournament records in both events (23.25 in the 50, 50.30 in the 100), and Cincinnati Indian Hill senior Margaret Fish defend her championship in the 200 individual medley with state and tournament records (2:02.98). – OHSAA Reports

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Boys Swimming and Diving

Cincinnati St. Xavier’s streak of nine consecutive state titles came to an end when Columbus St. Charles edged the Bombers, 266 to 246. It was the first state championship for the Cardinals, who finished second the past two years (see story on page 10). St. Charles’ championships came in the 200

and 400 freestyle relays, where seniors Marshall Sherman and Scott Martin participated on both. The school also was second in the 200 medley relay; Martin was second in both the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly (where the Cardinals also posted a third and fourth), and Sherman was third in both the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Other standouts were St. Xavier senior Jim Barbiere, who won his third straight title in the 100 backstroke and was on the winning 200 medley relay team; Toledo St. John’s Jesuit senior Jake Epperson, who won both the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, and Upper Arlington junior Eric Huffman, who won both the 50 and 100 freestyles. – OHSAA Reports

Gymnastics

Brecksville-Broadview Heights won its fifth consecutive championship, its seventh in eight years and its eighth overall. But the meet came down to the final performer in the final event, and senior Andrea Kinzer’s 9.725 in the vault gave the Bees 147.400 points, edging Rocky River Magnificat, which had 147.050. The margin of victory was the second closest in tournament history, and BrecksvilleBroadview Heights tied Worthington Thomas Worthington’s record for most consecutive state titles. Magnicat senior Kayla Kmiecik not only won her third straight uneven parallel bars title but won the all around as well with 37.825 points. Freshman teammate Kelly Nortz was second with 37.625. Kmiecik also took top honors in the floor exercise, while Nortz won the vault and Columbus St. Francis DeSales senior Morgan Spellacy won the balance beam.

Team Scores: 1. Brecksville-Broadview Heights 147.400; 2. Rocky River Magnificat 147.050; 3. Strongsville 138.675; 4. Columbus St. Francis DeSales 137.725; 5. Painesville Riverside 137.600; 6. Solon 136.000; 7. Dublin Coffman 135.975; 8. Hilliard Davidson 135.800; 9. Clayton Northmont 133.925; 10. Perrysburg 132.650; 11. Liberty Twp. Lakota East 131.175; 12. Napoleon 129.575.

Individual Champions: All Around – Kayla Kmiecik (Sr., Rocky River Magnificat) 37.825 Vault – Kelly Nortz (Fr., Rocky River Magnificat) 9.500 Uneven Parallel Bars – Kayla Kmiecik (Sr., Rocky River Magnificat) 9.475 Balance Beam – Morgan Spellacy (Sr., Columbus St. Francis DeSales) 9.550 Floor Exercise – Kayla Kmiecik (Sr., Rocky River Magnificat) 9.500 – OHSAA Reports

JJHUDDLE.COM

Winter Sports Round Up

Columbus St. Charles ends Cincinnati St. Xavier’s state swim title streak at nine S

Pool Sharks: Columbus St. Charles

OHIO HIGH STAFF

t. Charles swim coach Kyle Goodrich knows a new challenge will await the Cardinals next winter when they enter the season as defending state champi-

ons. But, he is optimistic the talent from the 2007-08 squad should carryover when it returns to high school competition later this year. “We’ll definitely be in a bit of a rebuilding mode, even though we’ll still have several very fast swimmers,” Goodrich said. “That’s not to say that we’ll be weak next year. Rather, it’s a testament to the strength of the ’08 class.” That class helped the Cardinals unseat Cincinnati St. Xavier as state champions when it won 266-246 at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton Feb. 23. Coming into this winter’s state meet, St. Xavier had won nine consecutive state titles while St. Charles was runner-up the past two seasons. Among the seniors from this year’s squad are Marshall Sherman, who was second in the 50 freestyle (20.82 seconds) and part of the winning 200- and 400 freestyle relay teams at state. Sherman, who has committed to swim at Notre Dame, said he won’t soon forget the feeling of standing at the top of the podium as a state champion with the other dozen seniors. “Winning state was our goal all season long,” Sherman said. “Having this season-long goal come true is the ultimate victory. Also, beating such a great state powerhouse like St. Xavier is very rewarding knowing that we were the team that upset such a dominant force in the swimming world.” Scott Martin was second in the 100 free (45.79), second in the 100 butterfly (49.51) and tied for third in the 100 backstroke (51.44). Martin was also part of the state champion relay teams. Alex Schaffer was third in the 100 fly (50.34) and part of the 200 free relay and the second-place 200 medley relay team (1:34.43). Andrew Clancey had a team-best time of 58.15 in the 100 breaststroke at state. Andrew Birnbrich and Neil O’Kelly were also on state champion relay teams. At this writing, several of these seniors are

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Photo by Osvaldo Figueroa

considering college programs, according to Goodrich. “I couldn’t be prouder of the ’08 class,” Goodrich said. “The exciting thing about this year’s senior class is that, outside of Marshall Sherman, they weren’t very highly touted coming into high school.” Goodrich said the program has taken a great deal of pride in the swimmers’ development. There are several examples, including senior Kyle Jennings, who swam the backstroke leg of the second-place medley relay, placed 12th in the 100 back and qualified in the 500 free. “However, as a freshman, Kyle swam at our JV championships and finished with times of 1:04.14 in the back and 5:32.31 in the 500 free,” Goodrich said. “That’s amazing improvement.” Though much attention has been placed on the way the program competed against St. Xavier, Goodrich, who has been the Cardinals’ head coach the past six years, said there wasn’t a great deal of pressure for the Cardinals to challenge for state supremacy. “Quite frankly, we put the pressure on ourselves – we embraced the opportunity and challenge of competing against one of the best teams in the country,” said Goodrich, a 1995 St. Charles graduate. “I felt it was my responsibility to challenge our team and make the swimmers realize how good they could be.” At a team picnic before the season, Goodrich said he told his team that if each swam to his potential, the Cardinals would

have a chance to challenge the Bombers for a state title. “The boys responded well and improved dramatically throughout the season,” Goodrich said. That legacy left by the seniors should have a very positive effect for the future. “I think the fact that all of these seniors have worked together in the pool and the weight room makes this achievement so much sweeter,” Goodrich said. “All of them can remember their freshmen seasons and they realize how much they’ve improved over the last four years. Their work ethic is contagious and they’ve been excellent leaders for my younger swimmers.” Goodrich said the top swimmers next season for the Cardinals will be seniors-to-be Erik Mai, Justin Shotwell and Eric Grunden. Others to watch will include juniors Nick Schuttinger, Sam Kocher, Sandy Whitaker, Corey Taylor and Jay Schuh along with sophomore Orion Swanson. Mai was sixth in the 100 breaststroke (58.71) at state this winter and finished eighth in the 200 IM (1:59.94). Whitaker was 13th in the 100 backstroke at state. “I think it will be difficult to move in front of St. Xavier or University (School) next year based on returning points, but I believe that if our current juniors and sophomores continue to improve as our swimmers historically do, then we’ll have a good chance to finish as one of the top three teams in Ohio,” Goodrich said. A lot will depend on the current sophomores as they will have a significant role in the team’s success next season, according to Goodrich. “My junior class has a lot of talent, but their class is much smaller,” Goodrich said. “If the ’09 and ’10 classes perform as we hope and lead our younger swimmers, we’ll have eight to nine individual state qualifiers next year and some more banners to hang.” Schaffer, who is considering some Division I college programs, went a step further. “I think with the coaching staff (St. Charles) has and the tradition that is being established, I believe they can reach new heights in the future,” Schaffer said. “I think that they really can have a dynasty like Upper Arlington and Toledo St. Francis did and like St. Xavier does currently.” – OH

JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh

STORY BY OHIO HIGH STAFF

W i n t e r S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r Boys Swimming Girls Swimming Gymnastics Girls Bowling

Boys Bowling Ice Hockey

t was another great winter season in Ohio high school athletics and Ohio High is proud to partner with Huntington Banks to present player of the year awards in all nine winter sports.

Boys Swimming

St. John’s Senior Epperson Wins Two State Titles

oledo St. John’s senior Jake Epperson put himself in some rare company recently. At the Ohio High School state swimming championships held Feb. 23 in Canton, Epperson accomplished something that hasn’t been done by a Northwest Ohio athlete since 1999 when he captured not one, but two state swimming titles. Epperson, who won both the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley, was not a favorite in either event. It didn’t matter. Now Epperson can also add the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Magazine Boys Swimmer of the Year award to his haul. Since last year’s state finals, winning a state championship had consumed Epperson’s mind. “I thought about it all summer,” Jake Epperson said. “Just because I finished second in both of my events last year I Epperson thought I had a good chance, but, heading into this year’s tournament, I really Toledo St. John’s didn’t think I would because other people were posting a lot better times than I was.” Despite not possessing the best times, Epperson managed to touch the wall first in both of his events and, by doing so, he placed a huge exclamation point on an outstanding senior season. Swimming is, by and large, and individual sport but there aspects of it that are team oriented as well. For the past forty-two years, the boys’ high school swimming scene in northwest Ohio has been dominated by St. John’s arch-rival, Toledo St. Francis. In those forty-two years, no other team has ever captured a district swimming title but this year the Epperson led St. John’s team dethroned the Knights. As noted, by Titan swimming coach, Joe Carroll, Epperson’s role in this accomplishment was immeasurable. “Jake is a leader in the water,” Carroll said. “He’s not really the vocal guy and doesn’t really like to talk, but Jake goes into the water and he leads by example. Sometimes I think that is really more important in a leader than anything. For all four years we could count on Jake.” Winning two state swimming championships may be enough for some athletes but for Epperson it is only the beginning. Having already signed a national letter of intent at the University of Tennessee,

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pages 28 and 43, respectively. The wrestler of the year is named on page 50. Here is a look at the six other player of the year award winners for the winter season.

Epperson presently has his eyes set on qualifying for the Olympic trials. If Epperson doesn’t qualify for the Olympic trials, it won’t be for lack of effort. His workout schedule is tough. During the off-season, Epperson lifts twice a week and swims two and half hours. During the competitive summer season, however, his time in the pool increases to three hours in the morning and an additional two and a half hours in the evening. “It’s a love-hate thing,” Epperson said. According to Carroll, Toledo St. John’s senior Jake Epperson is headed to the University Epperson has tremenof Tennessee. dous potetnial. “I absolutely think that he can make the Olympic trial cut,” Carroll said. “I think Tennessee will be a great program for him and the coaches there have a lot of expectations for him as well. If Jake continues to work and drive himself his potential is endless.” Epperson’s ability was not always so obvious. “I was scared of the water when I was little,” Epperson said. “When I first started swimming, I didn’t do good. I got DQ (disqualified) in every single event that I swam in the first meet. I was pretty awful when I was little. When I was thirteen, I started to drop a lot of time. That’s when I got a lot better.” What the future holds for Epperson is difficult to say. Iinjuries, opportunities and timing are vitally important and no one has complete control over any of them. However, Epperson has worked hard to place himself in position to excel and future success should not be a surprise. “It is easy because of his natural ability,” Carroll said. “He’s good because of his personal desire to get better.” – David Gatwood Photo by David Gatwood

The boys basketball player of the year award is revealed on page 25, while the girls basketball player of the year is on page 43. The boys and girls basketball coaches of the year are honored on

J J H U D D L E . C O M 11

W i n t e r S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r

Strumbel Leads Hawken To Tenth Straight Swimming Title

f Gates Mills Hawken School swimmer Brittany Strumbel was so inclined after finishing a typical race, she could jump out of the pool, towel off and take a swig of bottled water. Then, she could watch the competition come in. Certainly, the polite senior is far too considerate for such a display of arrogance. But she does quite often win the 500-meter freestyle by 10 secBrittany onds or more. Strumbel Such was the case against premier competition at the 2008 state swimGates Mills ming and diving championships. Hawken Strumbel captured the 500-meter freestyle with a torrid time of 4:50, nearly 10 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. She snagged the 200-meter freestyle by clocking in at 1:50.25 and also anchored the winning 200 and 400 relay teams as the Hawks ran away with their 10th consecutive Division II title. Thanks to her exploits, Strumbel has been named the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Magazine Girls Swimmer of the Year. And to think that Strumbel was disappointed in her performance. “I’m not upset at the times, but I do wish I could have done a little better,” Strumbel said. “I can’t complain because I had an opportunity to win both events and I did. Plus, I didn’t taper fully for state, so I wasn’t completely rested.” One might consider the blazing pace Strumbel would have set had she not maintained a full competitive schedule heading into the state meet. But her dominance comes as no surprise. The University of Indiana recruit took first in both the 200 and 500 freestyle last year and snagged the 200 freestyle crown as a sophomore. “She has always been pretty dominant,” understates Hawks coach Jerry Holtrey. “She has to race against the clock most of the time because the competition isn’t anywhere near her.” That’s for sure. But who woulda thunk it about 10 years ago, when Strumbel had to be taken to the YMCA pool kicking and screaming? OK, she was at least not smiling as a kid when parents Mike and Karin dragged her to swim practice. But they believed it would be good for her in the long run. They believed right. Strumbel began enjoying the sport as she developed an emotional bond to her fellow swimmers. She also realized well before her teenage years that she was quite gifted. “I remember when I was 12 years old and I made the YMCA national cut, which is when it kind of hit me that I really enjoyed doing this and I was kind of good at it,” Strumbel explains. “I got used to it and fell in love with it.” Strumbel worked hard as well, particularly in her transformation from strict sprinting to longer distances. She excelled solely in the 50 and 100 until Holtrey trained her in the 200 and 500. Three years ago, the Hawks needed a swimmer to replace 200 and 500 specialist and perennial state champion Alyssa Keil, who has since taken her talents to the University of Georgia. Holtrey considered Strumbel the ideal candidate.

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Shorter-distance events require speed and an ability to start quickly. Strumbel boasts both of those attributes, but she had to work on her endurance for the Hawks to replace Keil without missing a beat. “I realized that I could compete in those events by holding a fast time for a longer period of time,” Strumbel says. “I didn’t know that I had such a capability for a lot of endurance.” She did know, however, that she had the passion. That hasn’t Strumbel choose Indiana over been a problem since Tennessee, Florida State and those childhood days Southern Methodist. at the YMCA, but she still thanks her parents for their persistence. “My parents obviously got me into the pool and really focused me on swimming,” Strumbel said. “But there’s a difference between my parents and others I’ve seen. Most parents get really involved, but my parents are so supportive and I thank them for that. If I do well, that’s fine. If I don’t do well, they support me. They understand that it’s my life and I love them for that.” That’s one reason Strumbel changed her thinking about college. Her initial feeling was to accept one of many scholarship offers from a school as distant from Ohio as possible, not to escape, but rather to explore a new area of the country. Strumbel finally chose Indiana after having visited Tennessee, Southern Methodist and Florida State. Her flights to those other destinations brought into stark reality just how far away from home she would be. And anyway, the Hoosiers are defending Big Ten champions. “Being six hours from home is far enough away,” she says. “And it’s still close enough to Ohio that I’ll still be able to remain in contact with a lot of Ohio swimmers.” Yeah, Ohio swimmers don’t mind being close to Strumbel. They just prefer not compete against her. – Marty Gitlin

Photo by Osvaldo Figueroa

Girls Swimming

Ice Hockey

Coffman’s Rogers Stands Tall As Ohio’s Top Hockey Player

t 5-8 and 135 pounds, Dublin Coffman High School's Anthony Rogers doesn't appear to be a prototypical hockey player. However, what Rogers may lack in stature, he makes up for with dedication, heart and desire. Rogers, a senior, turned in a record-setting performance this past season in leading the Shamrocks to success.

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W i n t e r S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r

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W i n t e r S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r For his efforts, he has been named the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Magazine Ice Hockey Player of the Year. “I worked as hard as I could,” Rogers said. “I had a lot of good linemates who were helping me score. “I never really thought I would have this much success. I was never really that strong. Usually hockey players are big and strong, so it was kind of surprising, but I'm glad I'm being recognized.” Led by Rogers, Coffman captured the Capital Hockey Conference regular season title with an 112 mark, good for 22 points. It was the Shamrocks' first conference title since Rogers' freshman season. The Shamrocks finished 23-10-2 overall, with other highlights including winning the Adam Allgeyer Memorial Tournament and recording a pair of long winning streaks. After beginning the season with two losses and a tie, Coffman went on a 10-game winning streak. The Shamrocks won their final six games of the regular season to wrap up the coveted conference title. Coffman finished ahead of St. Charles (10-2-1, 21 points), Dublin Jerome (10-3, 20), Olentangy Liberty (8-5, 16), Gahanna (7-5-0-1, 15), Anthony Upper Arlington (7-6, 14), Thomas Rogers Worthington (6-6-0-1, 13), Worthington Kilbourne (4-9, 8), DeSales (1-10-1-1, Dublin Coffman 4) and Dublin Scioto (0-13, 0). Cincinnati Sycamore eliminated Coffman from postseason action 7-2 in a district semifinal game. “It was kind of upsetting just thinking about that that was the last time I would ever play with those guys again,” Rogers said of his final scholastic game. “It was a little sad and disappointing.” The Shamrocks opened district play with a 3-0 win over Beavercreek. Rogers scored a goal in the victory. Rogers, a forward, played a key role in the team's success as he netted a team-high 64 goals and 38 assists. Rogers, who was plus72, earned first-team all-league honors and was named the team's most valuable player. “It was a nice accomplishment at the end of the year, but really I just wanted my team to do well,” Rogers said. Rogers shattered the school record for points in a season with 102 and also topped the conference mark for goals in a season with 22. Rogers displayed steady improvement throughout his scholastic Rogers scored 64 goals and had 34 assists this season.

Photo by Carol Anderson

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hockey career. The four-year letterwinner earned honorable mention recognition his sophomore and junior seasons before his breakout senior campaign. He helped the Shamrocks reach the district final his sophomore season before falling to top-seeded Upper Arlington 5-2. “He quietly improved every year,” Coffman coach Perry Pooley said. “He's not big and strong or fast. He doesn't possess a huge shot, but he was quick to the holes, he was good around the net, he was very smart getting open. He played with some good guys on the ice, too. That helped him out, but he was a thinker. He's instinctive. You can't teach that.” Rogers also earned respect off the ice from coaches, teammates and opponents. “He doesn't get in any trouble,” Pooley said. “He does very well in school. He's not real vocal, but he does the right things off the ice. You never had to worry about him in the classroom. He always got great grades, which is nice to see.” The 2007-08 Coffman edition had a family flavor, as Rogers' brother, Alex, was the team's starting goaltender. The younger Rogers, a sophomore, started every game in goal and recorded 760 saves for a .891 save percentage with a 2.58 goalsagainst average. He earned second-team recognition. “I liked playing on the same team with my brother,” the older Rogers said. “He's a really good goalie. Knowing the goalie that well, I knew what to expect from him.” Anthony Rogers began skating at age three and turned to hockey a year later. He played travel hockey throughout elementary school and middle school before joining the Shamrocks. He will continue his education and hopefully his hockey career at Ohio State, where he plans on pursuing a business major and will also play club hockey. The future looks bright for the Shamrocks as Rogers was the lone senior on the team at season's end. Junior Chris Ridgway, who was second on the team in scoring with 39 goals and 46 assists for 85 points, is expected to help fill the void left by Rogers' graduation. “We've had a lot of success since I've been there,” Rogers said. “We've always had winning seasons. We've been about 10 games over .500 every year, so we've had some pretty good runs.” Said Pooley, “We've had some pretty good hockey players. It's going to be a void -- his ice time and points -- for next year. He got the most valuable player this year. “Anthony Rogers is somebody people should remember at Coffman.” – Frank DiRenna

Gymnastics

Kmiecik Claims Two Events, All-Around State Title

ayla Kmiecik carried on the Rocky River Magnificat gymnastics tradition in February becoming the 12th Blue Streaks gymnast to win the all-around state championship. Kmiecik won gold medals in the uneven parallel bars and the floor exercise and placed second in the balance beam and fourth place in the vault to score 37.825 points to claim the all-around title as well as Huntington Bank/Ohio High Gymnast of the Year honors. “To win three gold medals in my senior year, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending,” Kmiecik told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.

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W i n t e r S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r Photo by Woodard Photographic

Magnificat senior Kayla Kmiecik is headed to Ball State

Kmiecik previously won two state titles in the uneven bars before claiming the elusive all-around title this year. “At the end of last year, if anyone had asked who I thought the state all-around title would go to I would have said Kayla,” Magnificat head coach Joe Gura said. “She was going to win or someone was going to have to beat her to win it. “She knew that also and handled the pressure of being the one that everyone pointed the finger to.” Kmieck has worked hard since her freshman year to follow in the long line great gymnasts that have

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Grady Caps High School Career With State Title

our years ago, it would have been hard to imagine Kettering Fairmont senior Jennifer Grady as the top girls bowler in Ohio. But through hard work and dedication, she became just that as she rolled her way to an individual state championship in March and the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Girls Bowler of the Year honors. “When she first came to me asking Jennifer for lessons, I couldn’t help her Grady because her bowling ball was so poorly drilled,” said Fairmont bowling Kettering coach Andy Parker. “So, she has come a long way from then. She’s Fairmont worked hard on her game and is learning every time she goes out.” In the state tournament, Grady bowled a 730 series (276-237-217) – 65 pins better than second-place finisher Kelsey Zumfelde of Napoleon. “I didn’t think it was going to happen,” she said. “I just went out there and bowled. It’s amazing. “I knew I wanted it for the team and I knew I had to step up. I found my mark all day and I was on it.” While Grady may have not expected to win the state championship, Parker thought otherwise. “I could just see it in her eyes at state. I knew she was going to have a good day. She was totally focused,” he said. Grady led Fairmont (13-2) with a 204.7 average this season, which was second in the Greater Western Ohio Conference behind Troy’s Alicia Simpson (205.2) and was named the GWOC Bowler of the Year. “I think when you look at this past year, Grady rolled for her, she was just the highest determined,” said individual game Parker. “She was at the state determined the meet (276). whole year to have a great year. She’s worked hard on her game.” And Grady has dedicated herself to the game since slipping on her first pair of bowling shoes as a freshman when her average was

Photo by Greg Beers

gone through Magnificat, according to Gura. “Our slogan is ‘Tradition Never Graduates’ and when she was a freshman there were juniors and seniors that did the same thing for her. They were role models for her. “I think a lot of (her success) comes from watching other girls that have been successful. She was handed the torch her sophomore year and she’s moved on from there. It has been apparent each year since that she has shown great leadership qualities.” And Kmiecik’s leadership was obvious this year as freshman teammate Kayla Kelly Notz finished second in the allKmiecik around category at the state tournament with a 37.625 score. Rocky River “(Kmiecik) tried to pull (Notz) alongMagnificat side her and tried to get her to be more consistent, which she ended up doing,” said Gura. “She filled her role that way as far as being a leader and being a role model. He added, “She’s somewhat of a quiet individual but she does lead by example. She always tells the girls that they are doing well and gives them pointers to fix things or increase their difficulty. She’s always in a positive state.” Kmiecik, a 4.1 GPA student, has accepted a scholarship to Ball State and will be competing for the Cardinals. She spends 50 weeks a year training and has since she was six years old. “I expect her to do very well and to be a successful young lady down the road,” Gura said. Said Kayla’s father Tom Kmiecik: “Our family is pretty athletic. Her brother plays golf (in college) and I played basketball, but no one in the fiamly has the drive and passion Kayla does. She’s above everyone else.” – Matt Natali

Girls Bowling

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Boys Bowling

Super Sophomore Miller Leads Stebbins To State Bowling Title

onathan Miller is known by his Riverside Stebbins bowling teammates as “Big Money” and the Indians cashed in on their first state championship in March behind the talented sophomore. Miller bowled a 694 series (226, 246, 222) as Stebbins rolled past perennial power Centerville for the team state championship thus Jonathan earning Huntington Bank/Ohio High Miller Boys Bowler of the Year honors. “We just had fun with it,” Miller said. Riverside Stebbins “We didn’t bowl as well as we could at the beginning of the season. But we all bowled well at the right time and (head coach Don Brown) told us that he knew we could do it. Stebbins (14-2) finished 10th in the state tournament last year before Miller and his 225 average claimed the Central Buckeye Conference co-championship and the state title. “(Finishing tenth last year) told us that we were pretty good but we were just a little bit too young and not really good enough to get the level where we wanted to be,” Brown said. Miller finished No. 56 in the state tournament his freshman season. He finished fourth in individual competition this year at states.

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“The reason Jonathan is so good – you’ve heard of basketball players being gym rats – these guys are alley rats,” said Brown. “They live in bowling centers. They constantly bowl. “Jonathan just loves to bowl. Sometimes he’ll bowl left-handed just to break the monotony of it. That’s what keeps him so good. He loves it.” Miller is part of a trio of sophomores, which Brown has coined as his “Super Sophomores.” Chase Dolozi and Chase Carter were both named the CBC first Miller carried team and finished No. a 225 average 19 and No. 43, this season. respectively, in the state tournament. “We are all really good friends and we’ve always bowled together,” said Miller. Brown added, “(Miller) gets a lot of the credit – and deservingly so. I think what makes him better are the people that surround him, especially seniors (Jesse Beal and Chris Lutz). They were the leaders and the veterans of the team and he was surrounded by (Dolozi and Carter) so it really was a team effort. “The entire team made him better. He is elite by himself, though, because he is a very good bowler. I think he could easily bowl at the next level as well.” Before he even starts to think about bowling in college, Miller and his teammates are aiming to defend their state champions – a goal brown think could easily be achieved. “It’s hard not to say we would like to defend our state championship next year,” said brown. “With Jonathan’s average, it’s hard to get much better than that but I think he could even improve on that. And I think he thinks in his mind he could get better. “We have great team chemistry here right now and we plan on keeping it that way next year.” – Matt Natali Photo by Greg Beers

in the 120s. “It was all (Coach Parker),” said Grady. “He helped me through it all. He was the one who told me what to change and how to do it.” Said Parker, “A lot of times when I get a player in the developmental stage, I put together a plan for them and we worked towards that plan. With her, we had to work on some mechanics to get her started and we just kept building on that every year.” Grady followed her mentor’s guidance and was even tweaking her game up to the state tournament. “A week before state we were still making changes to her game and she carried that over to state,” Parker said. “So, it sets the tone for everyone else when someone with a high average is willing to keep learning. It sets a good example for the team to see that. “Each year’s team has set the standard and set the bar higher, which has been a great thing to watch.” Having left her mark on the Fairmont bowling program, Grady is focused on her collegiate career at Morehouse State, which is one of the top bowling programs in the country. “It is a really good school and they have a really good bowling program,” she said of Morehouse. “I want to get better and improve my average.” “I think she will make the adjustment well,” said Parker, who is a Morehouse alum. “I think it will be a little bit of a shock to her at first but she’ll do fine. She’s got the determination.” Parker has recently resigned as Fairmont’s coach to start a family but he is looking forward to following Grady’s collegiate career at his alma mater. “I am very proud of her,” he said. “She’s a good kid.” – Matt Natali

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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ & MATT NATALI

Boys Basketball State Tournament

Photos by Nick Falzerano, Gary Housteau & John Ritter

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Boys Basketball State Tournament

he 86th Annual OHSAA State Boys Basketball Tournament took place March 13-15 at Ohio State’s Value City Arena and it featured the end of a nearly 70-year drought, exciting buzzer-beaters, a two-time champion and the first state title in a school’s history. The following is a look at the 2008 state tournament:

Division I State Championship

took good shots.” Avery had 19 first half points, scoring six straight to give Newark a 31-16 lead in the second after a 10-2 run. St. Edward followed with a 9-0 spurt, but Avery’s pull-up jumper made it 33-25 at halftime. The Eagles’ last gasp came in the third on a 3-pointer from Frankie Dobbs, who led the Eagles with 15 points. That made it 3834, but it would be nearly four minutes before St. Edward scored again. Avery, meanwhile, scored six points to end the quarter – one on an alley-oop from Watson – to give Newark a 48-36 lead. By then, it was clear St. Edward was too fatigued to keep up with the quicker and more aggres-

Newark Senior Greg Avery had 33 points and 11 rebounds in the state final.

Newark Claims Fourth State Basketball Title, First In 65 Years

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Photo by Gary Housteau

The 65-year drought is over and Newark had a performance for the ages to thank for it. Senior Greg Avery had a feeling March 15 would be one of those special nights, but his performance in the Division I state final against Lakewood St. Edward likely topped even his expectations. His 33 points and 11 rebounds overwhelmed Lakewood St. Edward, and the rest of Newark followed suit, winning the Division I state title in convincing fashion, 65-52, in front of 12,465 fans, who were left amazed with Avery’s captivating night. “Avery had one of the best games I’ve ever seen a Newark player have and I’ve been to a lot of games,” Newark coach Jeff Quackenbush said. “At this stage, to score 33 points and shoot 14-of-18, that’s a big-time game. “This is one kids will be talking about. My nephew is 9 years old and I guarantee he’ll be talking about this game for a long time. He played an unbelievable game.” Thanks to Avery’s night, Newark won its fourth state title in the program’s illustrious history. The win was the Wildcats’ 14th straight – and number 1,418 in their record history – and it will have the basketball-crazy community talking for years. Playing in the program’s first state final since 1953, Newark (24-4) controlled the outset and led 33-25 at halftime. The Wildcats weathered a third-quarter storm from the Eagles (22-5) and clearly dominated the finish to win its first state title since 1943. In the midst of everything, there wasn’t much St. Edward could do stop the 6-4 sen-

ior, who scored on 78 percent of his shots in nearly every way imaginable. “This is amazing,” Avery said. “Once we got to the district championship, we knew we had a chance. We took that chance and ran with it. It feels great.” Rahlin Watson finished with 10 points and four assists and Cody Dennison added eight points and six assists for Newark. Dane Kopp had seven points and 11 rebounds, but his contribution was again felt on defense. Kopp and post players Will McCoy and Taylor Huffman negated Indiana-bound Tom Pritchard. The standout finished with just nine points and six rebounds, fouling out in the fourth quarter. Newark also shot 50 percent overall and held a 36-29 rebounding advantage. The Eagles closed to 38-34 in the third quarter, but Newark controlled the final 13 minutes. “We knew they were capable of making a run in the second half,” Dennison said. “They had been down before. We just made sure we ran our offense – reversed the ball and

What You Need To Know

Newark coach Jeff Quackenbush’s wife delivered the couple’s first child early in the a.m. the same day as the Wildcats semifnal win over Whitmer. sive Wildcats. “I told them that their guards couldn’t keep (Dennison, Avery and Watson) in front,” Quackenbush said. “You have to keep attacking and when you have the luxury of having these guys, it makes us look pretty smart.” St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said his team just ran out of steam. “We got down four and I felt like we were right back in the game,” Flannery said. “But they just kept making shots.” St. Edward closed to nine early in the fourth, but Avery had six more points, the last on a dunk to make it 58-43 to sum up an incredible performance. “He was very good,” St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said. “We knew he was good, but everything we tried to do, he overcame. They did a lot of different things to get him open and he responded.”

State Semifinal Results

Newark 63, Toledo Whitmer 44 Newark had runs of 8-1 and 13-3 to go ahead 36-22 at halftime and another spurt in

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Boys Basketball State Tournament the second half, this time a 7-0 burst, to advance to the state title game with a 63-44 win over Toledo Whitmer. Whitmer (20-6) closed to nine points early in the fourth, but Newark’s poise wouldn’t let the lead dissipate any further. Dennison had a huge game, finishing with a season-high 22 points. He also shut down Whitmer’s standout Ryne Smith, a Purdue signee. Smith was just 4-of-12 for 12 points, and he also had eight turnovers. The Wildcats’ defense was the deciding factor. Whitmer was held to its fourth-lowest point total of the season, shooting just 33 percent for the game. Kopp controlled the inside as well, grabbing 10 rebounds, blocking seven shots and altering several more. Watson added 13 points for Newark. Antwan Willis finished with 16 points for Whitmer.

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Last-Second Shot Leads Chillicothe Over Toledo Libbey For D-II crown In a thrilling finish and a match-up of firsttime state finalists, Chillicothe defeated Toledo Libbey 70-69 in overtime in the Division II state championship on March 15. With 5.1 seconds remaining in the extra session and Libbey leading 69-68, Chillicothe’s 5-9 lightning-quick point guard Anthony Hitchens took the inbounds pass, dribbled the length of the floor and dished to Ray Chambers for the game-winner as time expired. It was a crushing loss for Libbey (243), but Chillicothe (25-2) was able to make the key plays in the second half and overtime. “We knew going in it was going to be a great game,” said Chillicothe head coach Gary Kellough. “They are a great basketball team and we were blessed when we got down big we made some big plays and then were able to make the plays at the end.”

Hitchens (who finished with 24 points) and Chambers (23 points) also discussed the state-winning final play. “I saw he was open and I passed it,” Hitchens said. “I didn’t think he got it off in time. Coach told me in the huddle that I would have time to get in the lane. I thought I would have to shoot a runner or something.” Added Chambers: “It was crazy, man, I just threw it up there and it went in. I thought I missed it though. I was shocked he passed it to me. He’s a smart point guard and I love him.” Libbey’s players won’t soon get over the loss. But William Buford – who won the Mr. Basketball award and is off to Ohio State in the fall – was gracious in defeat. “It’s tough and this isn’t the way you want to go out,” Buford said. “But credit goes to them for playing a great game.” Buford led all scorers with 29 points. It was a high-spirited first quarter with Chillicothe coming out with a 2-3 zone and Libbey applying man defense. The teams each did a good job of being patient in the first period. But in the second quarter, the offensive intensity was ratcheted up a few notches. A thunderous dunk from Chambers tied the score at 14 at the 6:01 mark and brought the Chillicothe fans to their feet. Buford responded with a strong drive to the hole and a 16-14 Libbey lead. Following a basket from Chillicothe’s Caleb Knights, Wells threw a dunk down for Libbey and an 18-16 lead in

What You Need To Know

No team in Ohio history has had a longer drought between state appearances than Chillicothe, which waited 78 years between tournament berths.

Chillicothe overcame a 16point third quarter deficit to claim the D-II state title.

Photo by Gary Housteau

Lakewood St. Edward 68, Cincinnati St. Xavier 59 Despite holding a 10-point lead at halftime, St. Xavier couldn’t hold on as St. Edward outscored the Bombers 43-24 after the break to advance to the state championship game with a 68-59 win in front of 12,391 fans. St. Edward had four players score in double digits led by first team All-Ohio selection Tom Pritchard with 26 points and 14 rebounds post. He scored 11 points in the first half and 15 points in the second half as the Eagles came out after halftime more aggressive and playing with more intensity than the first half. Senior guard Frankie Dobbs added 16 points while senior forward Conor Tilow netted 15 points and pulled down four boards and senior guard Mike Harnett had 11 points. No. 4 ranked St. Xavier (23-3) shot an astounding 66.7 percent in the first half sinking 14-of-21 attempts from the floor but shot a dismal 9-of-30 from the floor in the second. Unranked St. Edward went on a 13-0 run in the third quarter and outscored St. Xavier 187 in the third frame. The Eagles shot 70 percent in the second half shooting 14-of-20 on field goal attempts. Senior forward Walt Gibler paced the Bombers with 24 points and senior guard Brad Loesing tallied 17 points. With 6-9 Pritchard and 6-6 Tilow in the paint, St. Edward out-rebounded St. Xavier 34-21, respectively. "We just kept looking in each other’s eyes knowing that we were going to do it," St. Edward head coach Eric Flannery said. "It’s all about having that confidence, that faith in each other and that belief that no matter who your opponent is we’re going to win the game."

Division II State Championship

this athletic affair. The play of the first half came on a dunk from Libbey’s Jones at the 1:40 mark of the half that almost brought the house down. Jones took the feed from Buford on a fastbreak and jammed the ball down following a short baseline drive. That play gave the Cowboys their largest lead of the game at 2920. Hitchens did his best to keep the Cavaliers in the game with a pair of late baskets in the second quarter. However, due to a basket from Sandridge and two free throws from Wells, Libbey retained its nine-point advantage (33-24) heading into the halftime break.

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Boys Basketball State Tournament

What They Said

A look at some memorable quotes from the boys state basketball tournament

"With all the talk of cutbacks and stuff, weʼre just trying to give them a reason to keep us open." Toledo Libbey head coach Leroy Bates addressing talk of Toledo City Schools closing some schools due to declinging enrollment.

“Itʼs a tough one to do what we did all year and come back here and not accomplish what we had planned. They are a very nice basketball team and I think you could ask (our guys) and they would agree – we havenʼt seen anything like Hitchens all year. Heʼs the real deal.” Poland head coach Ken Grisdale on Chillicothe guard Anhtony Hitchens after the Bulldogs lost in the semifinals for the second straight year.

“That is the best team weʼve run up against this year – no doubt.”

Veteran Wayne Trace head coach Al Welch whose team lost to New Knoxvillle in the semis.

“(Winning the state title) means a great deal. Especially if youʼre in a conference like weʼre in. In the MAC you go to St. Henry, Marion Local, Minster, Coldwater and weʼre kind of the little dog in there. Now we can hold our heads a little higher.”

New Knoxville head coach Dan Hegemier after the Rangers won the D-IV state final.

“Avery had one of the best games Iʼve ever seen a Newark player have and Iʼve been to a lot of games...This is one kids will be talking about. My nephew is nine years old and I guarantee heʼll be talking about this game for a long time. (Avery) played an unbelievable game.”

Newark head coach and alumnus Jeff Quakenbush describing the game turned in by Purdue-bound senior Greg Avery, who had 33 points and 11 rebounds in the state final.

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Buford led all scorers with 11 points at the half. Hitchens led Chillicothe with eight markers at the break. Chillicothe was the team that needed to come out in the third quarter with a sense of urgency. Instead, it was Toledo Libbey that came out of the locker room on fire and went on a 7-0 run to begin the half and extend its advantage. Suddenly, the Cowboys’ lead was up to 16 (40-24) with 6:20 remaining in the third quarter and the Cavaliers called a timeout to try and slow down the momentum. Hitchens picked up his third foul early in the third quarter, but was able to play through it. Chambers then made his presence felt for Chillicothe. He floated to the rim for a lay-up, and the next time down the court he converted a three-point play which cut Libbey’s lead to single-digits (44-35) at the 4:15 mark. A Beverly jumper then brought the Cavaliers even closer at 44-37. Following a free throw from Libbey, Chambers made a nice post move to make the score 45-39 as the comeback continued for Chillicothe. Buford responded with a drive to the basket and lay-up for Libbey to make the count 47-39. However, two three-pointers from Hitchens, sandwiched around two free throws from Beverly and a post-up basket from Buford, brought the Cavaliers within just two points at 49-47. What was looking like a game that might get away from Chillicothe was suddenly a barnburner again. A Wells tip-in off a Buford miss gave Libbey a 51-47 lead as the third quarter expired. To open the fourth quarter, Hitchens followed his own miss to make the score 51-49. Chillicothe’s man defense in the second half was intense and aggressive. It’s one of the reasons the Cavaliers were able to cut the deficit from 14 to two so quickly. A Buford put-back made the count 53-49, but right back came Seth Dawes with two free throws for Chillicothe (53-51). Buford then went 1-of-2 from the free throw line, but Chambers sunk two foul shots at the other end to make the score 54-53 Libbey. A Buford put-back off a Wells miss gave the Cowboys a little bit of breathing room at 5653 with 4:20 remaining. However, Hitchens was fouled as players dived for a loose ball at the 3:53 mark and made both throws to make the score 56-55 Libbey. Hitchens then was fouled on a drive and hit one out of two free throws at the 2:18 mark for a 58-56 CHS lead. Hitchens fed junior forward Ron Smith for a reverse lay-up at the 1:10 mark, giving Chillicothe a 60-58 lead. Then, Buford missed a short jumper at the other end and Chambers was fouled for

Chillicothe. He made both attempts and the Cavaliers had a commanding 62-58 lead with under a minute remaining. However, Buford would not let his team die. He buried a long three-pointer from the top of the key with 26.4 seconds left to make it a one-point game (62-61). With 19.5 seconds remaining, Knights stepped to the line in the double bonus and missed the first one but made the second (63-61). Then, with all the pressure on him, Jones made a 17-foot jumper just before the buzzer to knot the score at 63 and send the game to overtime. In the extra session, Hitchens made one of two free throws at the 3:44 mark to give Chillicothe a 64-63 lead. On the Cavaliers’ next possession, Hitchens was once again fouled making a hard drive to the basket. Once again he made one of two. At the 2:36 mark, Chambers dropped in a basket after a nice post feed. Buford responded at the other end with a quick basket, making the score 67-65 Chillicothe. Following a free throw from Chillicothe, a Buford drive and basket made the count 6867 with 1:57 remaining. With 31.9 seconds left and Chillicothe trying to milk the clock, Buford drew a charge on Hitchens to get the ball back for Libbey. Buford missed a jumper, but Libbey’s Bradley Burton grabbed the rebound. Then Buford drove, found Wells who was fouled by Chambers with 5.1 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, and with ice water apparently running through his veins, Wells made both free throws to give Libbey a 69-68 lead. Chillicothe then called a timeout to set up its final play. Hitchens took the pass roughly 90 feet from the basket and the lightningquick guard drove the length of the floor and dished to Chambers who dropped in the game-winner as time expired. The ball almost looked like it was going to bounce out, but it fell through and the celebration was on for the Cavaliers.

State Semifinals Results

Chillicothe 78, Poland Seminary 70 Facing the state’s No. 1-ranked team in undefeated Poland Seminary, Chillicothe handed the Bulldogs a convincing 78-70 loss in a Division II state semifinal. Defense was the overriding factor. Chillicothe clamped down on the potent Poland offense and held the Bulldogs, who were averaging a numbing 88.8 points per game, to their second lowest output of the season. Poland’s previous low was 67 points against Perry in the regional semifinals. Only

JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh

Boys Basketball State Tournament four times in 26 games did the Bulldogs register less than 80. Poland had just 40 points through three quarters. Poland witnessed another first as well – Hitchens mastery against its pressure. An Akron recruit and Chillicothe’s career scoring leader, Hitchens played like a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Basketball, which he was. The 5-9 point guard scored 24 points and had six rebounds and three assists. He also had five turnovers, but they weren’t crucial – unlike the rest of his game. Chillicothe was powered by the post game of 6-7 senior Chambers as well. Chambers ended with 31 points and 17 rebounds, including 18 and 12, respectively, in the first half. Chambers and Hitchens combined shot 24of-36 from the floor. Junior Seth Dawes chipped in 14 points, hitting 10-of-11 free throws. Umbel strung together the contest’s most impressive state line with 28 points, eight rebounds, six steals and five assists. He also had six turnovers. Umbel set the single season state record with 175 steals this winter. Poland wrapped the season 25-1 after advancing to its second straight state tournament.

JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

Ottawa-Glandorf Routs Sugarcreek Garaway In Division III State Final Ottawa-Glandorf may not have boasted any All-Ohio players, but senior forward Jake Meyer certainly played like he deserved such prestigious recognition in the Division III basketball state championship. Scoring 21 points off the bench, Meyer led the Titans to a 62-44 win over Sugarcreek Garaway on Sat., March 15. A crowd of 13,371 saw O-G win its second state title in school history and first since 2004. “I’m overwhelmed right now,” Meyer said. “It’s everything I dreamed. You dream it as a little kid. I can’t even describe it.” While Meyer may not start for O-G, he plays a key role for the Titans and saw 22 minutes in the championship game. “I think it says a lot about him as one of our seniors,” O-G head coach Josh Leslie said. Photo by Gary Housteau

Tol. Libbey 51, St. Paris Graham 44 Behind Buford’s game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds, Libbey took out previously undefeated St. Paris Graham 51-44. The 6-5 Buford – an Ohio State signee who was playing on his future college floor – scored 14 points in the first half, including a go-ahead dunk late in the second period and a lay-in with a couple ticks left before halftime that provided the Cowboys a 22-20 lead at the break. At one point in the third quarter, he had 19 of his team’s 27 points. Still, Buford finished 9-of-24 from the field, 0-of-4 from three-point range and missed 4-of-7 attempts at the free-throw line including two front ends of a one-and-one in the final minutes. Graham (26-1), which advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in school history, hit just 15-of-40 shots (37.5 percent) and committed an uncharacteristic 19 turnovers. Lance Jones, who contributed 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and played shutdown defense on Graham sharpshooter Josh Shuler, who was just 2-of-13. Shuler was 1-of-9 from deep but Ethan Ward and Ben Rosenberger each hit 2-of-3 behind the arc. "I thought Toledo Libbey did a good job of attacking the basket and obviously they hurt us on the boards, which was a concern going into the game," Graham coach Brook Cupps said. "They outplayed us. They deserved to win.

Division III State Championship

Ottawa-Glandorf’s state title was the second in school history. The Titans won the D-II championship in 2004.

“He plays starter minutes. We catch (opponents) subbing in guys just trying to get through the first few minutes and we’re subbing in to score.” Garaway’s only lead in the game came in the opening minutes on a Paul Honigford free throw but O-G went on a 13-0 run and the Pirates quickly found themselves down 13-1. “We obviously got off to a good start and we feel if we can get up on teams early and play the way we want to play, that’s a big key for us,” Leslie said. “If we make teams play from behind the entire time like that, we’re tough to beat.” O-G (23-5) led 18-12 after the first frame and continued to add to its lead by disrupting Garaway’s game plan with full court pressure and trapping in the half court. “If you let (Garaway’s) guys catch and shoot, they’ll kill you,” said Leslie. “We used our length and athleticism to push them out on the floor and have them catch it where they aren’t comfortable shooting in it. We were fortunate enough turn them over early in the game and actually build a lead.” Garaway (24-4) committed 13 turnovers in the first half and had 19 for the game. “I think their pressure early bothered us and it took us a while to adjust,” Garaway head coach Dave Shutt said. “Hats off to them. They’re athletic, they’re great athletes and their depth kind of bothered us a little bit.” Garaway netted just eight points in the third quarter as O-G took a 49-31 lead into the fourth.

What You Need To Know

In addition to the boys team finishing runner-up, Sugarcreek Garaway’s girls team was also state runner-up in Division III. Both teams scored 13 points in the fourth quarter – O-G’s lowest scoring quarter on the night and Garaway’s highest – as the Titans players and fans began to celebrate the championship with about two minutes left in the game. “The expectation is up there and (O-G) is a great basketball town,” said Leslie. “You can’t imagine what its going to be like when we get back home.” Forward Justin Schomaeker added 15 points and four assists for O-G. “I was an eighth grader when (O-G won the 2004 state title) and I remember coming down and watching,” Schomaeker said. “That is what you look up to when you’re younger.

J J H U D D L E . C O M 21

Boys Basketball State Tournament You want to emulate them. Its amazing to say we’re state champs just like they were.” Honigford had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Garaway and guard Tyler Gerber tallied 15 points. “I didn’t’ think we adjusted real well early and we panicked,” said Gerber, the Division III co-player of the year. “We never got into the flow until the second half and against a good team like that you can’t take that long to adjust to the pressure.” O-G shot 56 percent from the floor and held Garaway to just 34 percent, including a dismal eight percent from 3-point land on 1of-13 shooting. “I think (O-G) knew we could shoot the three pretty well as a team and they tried to limit me to as little touches as possible,” Gerber said. Garaway's 44 points was the Pirates lowest scoring output of the season and the loss snapped a 10-game winning streak.

State Semifinal Results

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Sugarcreek Garaway 50, Clev. Villa Angela-St. Joseph 47 Sugarcreek Garaway senior Chase Stingel sunk a three-pointer from the corner with less than one second left to upend Cleveland VASJ 50-47 in thrilling fashion to advance to the state championship game. "When I was younger, I’d be out in my backyard taking last-second shots," Stingel said. "I never imagined I would be taking the last-second shot in the state tournament. It’s amazing." VASJ (21-5) led 47-44 with 1:33 left in the game following a couple of Nate Barnes free throws. But on Garaway’s next possession, Stingel hit a 3 with 1:09 remaining to tie the game. On VASJ’s ensuing possession, guard Brian Jenkins played keep-away dribbling the ball about half court to wind the clock down for the chance to give the Vikings the last shot in the game. Jenkins lost the handle and he tried to get it to Ashen Ward in the corner on the recovery but the ball went out-of-bounds and Garaway took over with 13 seconds remaining. The Pirates took a timeout out to set up Stingel’s late game heroics. "We thought if we had a chance to get the ball back and give us one possession left, it would give us a pretty good chance," said Garaway head coach Dave Shutt. Garaway (24-3) was phenomenal beyond the arc shooting 58 percent from 3 on 7-of-12 shooting. Stingel was 4-of-6 from three and guard Gerber went 3-of-5 from downtown. Stingel finished with 16 points Gerber netted 16 points of his own. Gerber went down with an ankle injury late in the third quarter with Garaway clinging to a 40-37 lead. The Pirates committed four straight turnovers in that stretch after coughing up the ball only twice in the first half. The game was knotted at 42-42 going into the fourth quarter and Garaway had a few opportunities to pull away in the final frame but went 0-for-5 on foul shot attempts. VASJ shot a dismal 37 percent from the floor making 17-of-42 attempts. The Vikings were 5-of-21 on 3-point attempts. Division III co-player of the year Barmes scored eight points for VASJ. Harper doubledoubled with 10 points and 12 rebounds and third team All-Ohio selection Ashen Ward added eight points.

Division IV State Championship

New Knoxville Wins Division IV title, Dominates Worthington Christian New Knoxville accomplished a first for its school March 15, but for its coach and conference the accomplishment was old-hat. Behind smothering defense and balanced scoring, the Rangers capped the state’s only perfect season (27-0) and captured their first state title with a dominating 74-52 win over Worthington Christian. The win was head coach Dan Hegemier’s third state championship overall, coupled with titles at Fort Loramie (1987 and 1993). As for the Midwest Athletic Conference, the state title is its sixth this school year. The conference’s previous championships include Versailles in D-III girls basketball and D-III girls cross country, Maria Stein Marion Local in D-V football and D-IV volleyball and Coldwater in D-IV football. The win also marked the MAC’s fourth Senior Tony Meyer hit four 3s in the state final.

Photo by Nick Falzerano

Ottawa-Glandorf 65, Anna 57 O-G advanced to its third state championship game in history with a 65-57 win over Anna. Schomaeker and Meyer led the O-G attack with 26 and 15 points, respectively. Schomaeker received most of O-G’s passes. The 6-1 forward scored 12 points in the first half and ended the game shooting 13-of-18 from the field. His only weakness – and O-G’s – was free throws. Schomaeker was 0-for-3 from the line and the Titans made just 5-of-14 as a team (36percent). O-G blistered the nets in the first half shooting 14-of-29 from the floor for a clip of 48-percent. Anna on the other hand struggled. The Rockets shot 36-percent from the field (10-of-28) and 25-percent (3-of-12) from 3-point range. Anna also committed 14 turnovers to O-G’s eight. In the second half O-G held a 45-38 lead after three quarters. Then Anna went to work. The Rockets cut the deficit to six points or less seven times in the final eight minutes but never clawed any closer then three (55-52 with 3:39 to go). Each time O-G answered with a basket of its own. The Titans shot 51-percent from the floor for the game (28-of-55); while Anna hit just 36-percent (22-of-62). The Rockets also hit just 19-percent from beyond the three-point arc (5-of-26). Anna’s 20 turnovers did it no favors either. O-G cycled 10 players through the scorers table and all played at least five minutes. Schomaeker and Meyer were the only ones in double-figures, but eight Titans scored. Anna was led by Joel Naseman’s 14

points. Derek Billing added nine and Zach Clark chipped in eight off the bench. “That was a tough, tough game,” Leslie said. “We just kept battling. We were able to hang on and beat a very, very solid team. They were as good as anyone we’ve played this year.”

JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh

Boys Basketball State Tournament boys’ basketball title this decade and first since St. Henry beat Versailles for the D-III championship in an all-MAC final in 2004. New Knoxville, which has won 52 of its last 53 games, flexed its muscle and depth early and often. The Rangers never trailed and were never challenged. “(Winning the state title) means a great deal,” New Knoxville coach Dan Hegemier said. “Especially if you’re in a conference like we’re in. In the MAC you go to St. Henry, Marion Local, Minster, Coldwater and we’re kind of the little dog in there. Now we can hold our heads a little higher.” New Knoxville showed its balance and shooting touch early with three players combining to go 5-of-6 (83-percent) from three-

Ohio High Magazine All-Tournament Team GH

What You Need To Know

New Knoxville’s state title was the first in school history and marked the Rangers first trip to state since 1947 when they finished runner-up. point range in the first quarter. The Rangers led 23-13 after eight minutes. In the second quarter Worthington Christian rallied to pull within five points three times, but the Rangers responded each time with a bucket. At the end of two quarters New Knoxville led 38-29. The Rangers shot better from three-point range (7-of-12; 58-percent) than they did from the floor (15-of-29; 52-percent) in the first half and committed only two turnovers. Things got worse for Worthington Christian in the second half. The Warriors pulled within 40-30 with 6:33 left to go in the third quarter but never cut the lead to single digits. New Knoxville poured it on after that. The Rangers led 50-37 after three quarters and never looked back. All five New Knoxville starters entered the game averaging double-figures and all reached double-digits in the final. Junior center Brad Piehl led the Rangers with 16 points, while sophomore guard Ryan VanderHorst added 13. Senior Tony Meyer and junior Caleb Allen each netted 12 points, while junior Adam Arnett chipped in 11. VanderHorst had the best stat line, adding nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. He did not turn the ball over. “We don’t really care who shoots the ball,” Hegemier said. “(The kids) just want to share it and they do a great job of that.” Meyer, the MAC player of the year, was especially hot early on, draining three 3s in

JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

Ray Chambers

Anthony Hitchens

William Buford

Ryan VanderHorst

Greg Avery

Senior forward scored 54 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in two state games, inlcuding 31 and 17, respectively in the semis. Also hit the game-winning shot in OT in state final.

Senior point guard had 24 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in D-II state final. Also drove length of floor and dished to Chambers for winning bucket in OT.

Mr. Basketball winner led Libbey to D-II state final. Had 50 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in two state games. Senior had 29 points in state final.

Sophomore sensation had 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in D-IV state final. Also had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in semis.

Senior guard and Western Carolina recruit had 33 points and 11 rebounds in DI state final. In the semifinals, he had 16 points and nine rebounds.

Chillicothe

Tom Pritchard

Justin Schomaeker

Indiana recruit had 26 points and 14 rebounds in D-I semifinal win. Added nine points and six boards in state final.

Senior was unstoppable in semis with 26 points in D-III semis when he shot 13-of18 from the floor. Had 15 points in final.

St. Edward

Ottawa-Glandorf

Toledo Libbey

Tyler Joseph

Worthington Chr.

Senior canned nine 3s in two D-IV games. Overall had 33 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

New Knoxville

Brad Piehl

New Knoxville

Junior post had 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals in pair of D-IV wins. Was 11-of-13 from the free throw line.

Newark

Jake Meyer

Ottawa-Glandorf

Only non-starter on all-tourney team, senior rose to occasion with 15 points in D-II semis and 21 points in final.

J J H U D D L E . C O M 23

Boys Basketball State Tournament the first quarter and four total in the half. “He earned the right to drop it and he did,” Hegemier said. “That’s Tony. He told me he was going to do it.” Said Meyer: “I don’t know if its confidence or me being crazy. That first one went in and I thought it was going to be a good night. When the next one went in I thought OK, this might be a special night.” It was. For the game, New Knoxville shot 50-percent from behind the three-point arc (8-of-16), 53-percent from the floor (26-of-50) and 87.5-percent from the free throw line (14-of-16). The Rangers had seven turnovers. Offensively the Warriors found everything tough. Junior and Ohio D-III player of the year Brian Hecker scored a season-low four points and had four turnovers. He managed just eight shots to go along with six rebounds and four blocks. Sophomore Zack Joseph led the Warriors with 18 points, while his brother Tyler, a senior, dropped in 16. “They had really strong defenders and we’re used to that in the (Central Catholic League) but all five of their guys were really strong,” Tyler Joseph said. “We never got into a rhythm and we got panicky.” Said Piehl: “It was just one on one. You had to stop your man.” Worthington Christian’s 52 points were its lowest output of the season, topping the previous low of 59 in a win over Columbus DeSales the fifth game of the season. Since then the Warriors had failed to score less than 61. Worthington Christian shot a respectable 42-percent from the floor (21-of-51) but went just 9-of-25 from behind the three-point arc. The Warriors managed just four free throws. “I thought New Knoxville played tremendous in every phase of the game,” Worthington Christian coach Kevin Weakley said. “They took us out of what we wanted to do and I think they just have five guys that flat out understand both ends of the floor. “I think they are a great basketball team. They had our number today.” New Knoxville’s trip to state was its second ever and first in 61 years. The 1947 squad finished runner-up in Class B. The title bears even more significance for a community of 891 people, all of whom it appeared were in the Schott. The only ones

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left in town March 15 were two cops. New Knoxville will graduate 34 students in June. “We’re from the MAC and there are a lot of state championships around there,” Hegemier said. “When I grew up people talked a lot about the 1947 team. Now they can talk about another.”

State Semifinal Results

New Knoxville 62, Haviland Wayne Trace 41 New Knoxville improved to 26-0 and escaped a harrowing day for undefeated teams at the state tournament on March 13 with a 62-41 win over Haviland Wayne Trace before 11,733 fans. The Rangers, whose average margin of victory entering Columbus was a staggering 27 points per game, showed why they were ranked No. 1 in the state for all but one week of the season. Wayne Trace (21-5) never led. The Rangers opened up a 16-6 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 25-14 after two. In the first 16 minutes the Rangers, whose starters all average double-figures, had seven players in the scoring column. Defensively New Knoxville forced Wayne Trace into 10 first half turnovers and limited the Raiders shooting to 32-percent (6-of-19) from the field. The Rangers shot 48-percent (11-of-23) in the first half. In the third quarter Wayne Trace fought back to climb within 33-25 on a three-point play by Aaron Hockenberry with 3:35 to go. Those were the last points the Raiders scored in the quarter as the Rangers closed on a 13-0 run to open a 46-25 lead. Things didn’t get better for Wayne Trace in the fourth quarter as the Rangers opened up a 57-32 lead with 3:32 left to play. Wayne Trace finished the game shooting 34-percent from the field (15-of-44) and 15 percent from three-point range (2-of-13). Hockenberry, a senior, led the Raiders with 14 points, while senior Alex LaBounty added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. VanderHorst paced New Knoxville with team highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Piehl chipped in 13 points and seven boards, while junior Adam Arnett added 11 points. The defeat brought to a close the outstanding career of Wayne Trace head coach Al Welch, who finished his 33-year stay with

the Raiders with an overall record of 540211. He led four teams to the state tournament and the Raiders captured the D-III state title in 2001.

Worthington Christian 66, Bedford Chanel 58 Behind four starters scoring in double digits, Worthington Christian defeated Bedford St. Peter Chanel 66-58 in the Division IV state semifinals in front of 11,020 fans to advance to the state championship game. Guards Tyler Joseph, Zack Joseph and Bobby Condon netted 17, 14 and 13 points, respectively, and forward Hecker added 15 as the Warriors shot 44 percent from the field on 20-of-45 attempts. No. 3 ranked Worthington Christian was down 6-2 early in the game but went on an 11-0 run as Chanel suffered a 3:42 scoring drought in the first quarter. The Warriors run was sparked by a Taylor Joseph three-pointer and Worthington Christian sunk threes on its next two possessions to give them some early momentum. The Warriors shot 39 percent from downtown on 9-of-23 shooting. Worthington Christian carried a 19-13 lead into the second quarter and defensively Chanel put on the full court pressure. Chanel (17-9) got within one point midway through the second frame but was outscored 15-12 in the quarter with Worthington Christian leading 34-25 at the break. The first half ended on a Hecker 45-foot bucket as the horn sounded giving the Warriors the nine point lead. Both teams netted 17 points in the third period with Worthington Christian leading 5142 going in to the final quarter. Chanel pulled within four points early in the fourth quarter and scored 16 points in the final period but Worthington Christian went 11-of-14 from the free throw line to stretch the lead. The Warriors shot 59 percent from the charity stripe sinking 17-of-29 attempts. Forward Lamar McKnight led Chanel with 21 points and eight rebounds and forward Arthur Jordan tallied a double-double with 13 points and 13 boards. McKnight was double-teamed most of the game standing in at 6-foot-5 and the tallest player in the game. Worthington Christian out-rebounded Chanel 39-34. – OH

JJ H u ddle’ s O h io Hi gh

STORY BY STEVE HELWAGEN & JEFF RAPP

B o y s B a s k e t b a l l P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r Photo by Steve Helwagen

Photo by Gary Housteau

ntil this winter, Ohio High magazine had prided itself on always naming one athlete as the state player of the year in each OHSAA-sanctioned sport. But, our editorial staff learned when it came time to select this year’s boys basketball player of the year, sometimes there must be exceptions to the rule. Accordingly, we have decided to name Toledo Libbey’s William Buford and Canal Winchester’s B.J. Mullens as co-winners of the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Magazine Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Buford and Mullens have each signed with Ohio State and will be teammates with the Buckeyes next season. They each played in the McDonald’s All-American Game in Milwaukee in March with Mullens tallying 12 points and Buford scoring six. They were set to play together in the Jordan Brand Classic April 19 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. They join the list of past winners of the award which include Lima Shawnee’s Jamar Butler (2004), North College Hill’s O.J. Mayo (200506) and Upper Sandusky’s Jon Diebler (2007). Below are profiles on this year’s co-winners.

Mr. Basketball Buford Guided Toledo Libbey To State Title Game

Buford averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season.

Buford knew the hard work would pay off some day. He knew that his prep team, Toledo Libbey, could win and win big, and that individual kudos would come with that winning. He just never knew that the four-day stretch of March 12-15 would be so dramatic or so momentous in his life. A silky smooth 6-5 wing who signed with Ohio State back in November, Buford played like the co-headliner of that four-man class throughout his senior season. He matched fellow signee Mullens accomplishment for accomplishment, big basket for big basket, and then, very late in the season he one-upped him. While the 7-1 Mullens and Canal Winchester had their season end in the Division II regional playoffs with a loss to St. Paris Graham, Buford led the Cowboys directly over the regional hump that had stonewalled them in previous years. On his way down to Columbus with his team as they headed off to the state final four, Buford found out from a reporter that he had just been named by The Associated Press as the winner of the coveted Mr. Basketball award that signifies the top player in the state.

JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

Mullens averaged 27.6 points, 14.1 rebounds and 4.4 blocks this season.

J J H U D D L E . C O M 25

B o y s B a s k e t b a l l P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r

Buford is the Toledo City League’s second career leading scorer (2,059 points). He trails only Jim Jackson.

Photo by Brad Morris

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Photo by Gary Housteau

The honor immediately cast Buford, Libbey’s all-time leading scorer, in elite company along with past winners such as Mayo, LeBron James and fellow Toledo product Jim Jackson, his idol. “Man, that’s crazy,” he said and then repeated. “How do I feel? I can’t even explain it. That’s crazy.” Buford edged out his future teammate Mullens in the voting. Other top candidates included 6-9 power forward Yancy Gates of Cincinnati Withrow, 7-0 center Kenny Frease of Massillon Perry and 5-10 point guard Anthony Hitchens of Chillicothe. “It’s such an accomplishment, being the best player in Ohio,” he said. “I don’t know what put it over the top – maybe that we’re still playing. It’s a guess because I don’t know how they voted. I really don’t care too much because now I got it.” Buford and Mullens figured to be neck-and-neck for the award given their fantastic senior seasons and already well-earned national reputations as topflight recruits. Mullens ranked No. 6 nationally in the Class of 2008 according to the ESPN 150; Buford was just behind at No. 11. William Buford averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 Buford rebounds and 5.6 assists a game during the regular season while collecting his Toledo third consecutive Toledo City League Libbey player of the year award from The Toledo Blade. He shot 62 percent from the field, 46 percent from three-point range and 77 percent at the free-throw line. Earlier in the week, Buford and Mullens were named co-Division II players of the year. They were on a collision course to face each other in the state semifinals in Columbus until Canal was derailed. “For William, the opportunity to get to the Schott and you’re 64 minutes away from a state championship, I couldn’t be happier for him,” Ohio State head coach Thad Matta said heading into the week. “We like those guys who come from winning programs and hopefully he’ll come down here and have a great tournament.” Despite being a newly marked man, Buford did just that. He posted game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds in a very unselfish performance against Graham as Libbey won the first Division II semi, 51-44. The Cowboys ended Graham’s previously unbeaten season and set themselves up for a date with Hitchens and Chillicothe in he Division II state final March 15. Buford and classmates Julius Wells and Brad Sandridge vowed before the season that they would make winning the state title their destiny. They came up one basket short, though, as Hitchens zipped through traffic and dished to Ray Chambers for a layup just before the final buzzer as Chillicothe won one of the most memorable games in the history of the tournament, 70-69. Libbey had reached just one other state final in school history, losing to Dayton Chaminade-Julienne in 1966. Coming up a hair short of the goal seemed like a cruel outcome to a competitor like Buford. “I don’t like second place; nobody remembers second place,” he told a handful of reporters afterward. Hitchens and Chambers celebrated their heroic stats after scoring 24 and 23 points, respectively. Buford, though, was not outshone. He produced a game-high 29 points and added six rebounds and five assists and set up what appeared at the time to be the winning play as he drew defenders and passed to Wells, who was fouled with 5.1 seconds to play. Libbey ended its fantastic season at 24-3 and Buford, who carries a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2, ended his career with 2,059 points. Jackson, the former Toledo Macomber and Ohio State super

In just two years, Mullens set the Canal Winchester career scoring record with 1,868 points.

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B o y s B a s k e t b a l l P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r star, is the Toledo City League’s all-time leading scorer with 2,328 points and Buford’s total ranks second. Buford averaged 28.4 points per game as a junior but took fewer shots this past season with the intent of getting everyone else involved. “I feel like I’m doing real good with that this season,” he said. “I’m just trying to be much more of a leader. I’ve been working on distributing the ball more, playing better defense. It’s paid off.” Libbey coach Leroy Bates is among the impressed. “What I’m going to miss the most after he’s gone is his work ethic and the example he’s set for the rest of the kids,” the coach said. “In these four years I don’t think he’s missed one practice. And he makes the players around him better. William is just smooth. He’s a proficient scorer, and it’s not likes he’s taking 20 shots a game.” Still, there’s no doubt he can light it up when needed. Sinewy yet strong, quick yet fluid, Buford can do it all with the ball in his hands and can score from anywhere on the hardwood. “William is a very gifted offensive player, can score in a variety of ways, can shoot the ball, can handle the ball, drives it and has a stepback (shot),” Matta said when Buford signed with OSU in November. “It’s good because of his size. He’s 6-5, long, just really has a great scorer’s mind. He’s very productive.”

Mullens Head And Shoulders Above The Rest In Ohio

Mullens’ story has been told many times: He committed to Ohio State in October 2004, prior to his freshman season at Canal Winchester World Harvest Prep. He played two seasons at World Harvest before transferring to Canal Winchester for his junior and senior years. In just two years with the Indians, Mullens set the school’s career scoring record with 1,868 points. As a junior, he averaged 26.4 points, 14.1 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game. This year, he averaged 27.6 points, 15.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest in leading Canal B.J. Winchester to a 21-3 season and a Mullens Division II district championship. “It was a great season,” Mullens Canal said. “We came up short of our goal. Winchester We didn’t make it as far as we wanted to go. But we came along and had a great experience.” In terms of improvement, Mullens boosted his field goal percentage from 60 percent as a junior to 71 percent as a senior. “My shooting percentage improved,” he said. “I think I did a better job with my shot selection and decisionmaking on the floor. I worked on posting up deeper and not leaking out as much so I would have a harder shot.” Of course, it helped that Mullens was 28 of 34 from the floor in a 62-point outburst in a game against Centereach (N.Y.) Our Savior New American. The point total represents a new Canal Winchester single-game school record. In that Jan. 22 game played at the Flyin’ to the Hoop event in Kettering, Ohio, Mullens also had 21 rebounds in a 79-69 win. He had 36 of his team’s 38 points in the first half. “I have to thank my teammates for that game,” Mullens said. “They did a good job of breaking the pressure. They were playing us manto-man. My teammates saw that and they knew we had to go here to get the W and go home. I had unselfish teammates who knew what we had to do.”

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It was a regular occurrence for Mullens to be double- and tripleteamed by opposing teams – lest they leave an open path to the basket and get dunked upon. In most cases, Mullens just took the extra attention in stride. “I knew I was going to be going against a lot of double- and tripleteams,” said Mullens, who was named first-team All-USA and as a first-team Parade All-American. “I needed my teammates to step up and hit their shots. If they weren’t hitting, I knew they’d keep tripleteaming me.” It was two years ago this spring when Mullens showed up at Canal Winchester after the transfer from World Harvest. Longtime CWHS coach Kent Riggs and his staff saw that Mullens’ academic profile needed help. They went to work with him – both on and off the floor. “I think he’s obviously matured quite a bit, as all our kids do,” Riggs said. “People look at B.J. and see a 7-1, 260-pound man and really he is just a high school student. He has those high expectations on and off the court. “But I am proud of his academic work and the way he carries himself here at school.” Mullens spent his spring and summer on the AAU and camp circuit. He participated in events with the adidas Nation program as well. One web site declared that Mullens, because of his size and skill, was the early favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. But through it all, Riggs has been glad to see that Mullens has kept the acclaim in perspective. “You always worry about kids when everybody in the public tells them how good they are and what’s ahead of them,” Riggs said. “But he is here every day and acts like any other student. That’s hard when you have been exposed to some of the things he has been exposed to. He has tried to be a normal high school walking around the halls, but that can be hard when people come up to you once in a while and ask for an autograph.” Riggs reflected on his team’s season. “We had a great year and one bad night,” he said. “But that’s the beauty of the tournament. That’s why people like it. It’s one (loss) and you’re out. It makes it very interesting. Graham had a very good team. I like to think that if we played our best game the outcome would have been different. “What I liked about our kids was they had fun playing together. They enjoyed each other. The disappointment has started to fade and as you look back we had a pretty good year. Not everybody wins a district championship or two league titles back to back.” The next stop for Mullens will be Ohio State, where he could be the latest big man to go one-and-done before heading off to the NBA. “Since I first committed to Ohio State three years ago, I have always been a Buckeye,” Mullens said. “I am proud to be a Buckeye.” He and Buford will be joined in the incoming class by guards Anthony Crater and Walter Offutt. All four of them have been considered national top-100 prospects at points in their career. “I have played with all of them before,” he said. “Crater is a great point guard. He is really unselfish. Walter is a leader. He is also a strong shooter. William is just an all around basketball player. It is a great class coming in. I am excited about it. “I can’t wait. I am enrolling this summer to get in there for conditioning and open gyms. I have talked to Evan (Turner) about it a lot. He said we’re going to have a great time.” Mullens talked about areas where he needs to continue to improve. “I know I need to work on my strength and conditioning,” he said. “I have been playing against college guys ever since I committed. I have a good feel for their strength and they are strong. That is the next level. “I think I am ready for the college level. I know Coach Matta will get me in shape for what he wants me to do.” — OH

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B o y s B a s k e t b a l l C o a c h O f T h e Ye a r

Dan Hegemier

New Knoxville

Hegemier won 298 games and two state titles during a 16-year stint at nearby Fort Loramie High School. In four years at New Knoxville he’s 7918, including 52-1 the last two years.

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Photo by Nick Falzerano

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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ

B o y s B a s k e t b a l l C o a c h O f T h e Ye a r

an Hegemier has come a long way since his first season as a varsity boys basketball coach. Hegemier currently owns more state titles than he had wins that first year. “My first job was the junior varsity job at Waynesfield-Goshen,” Hegemier said. “I led the reserves for a couple years and then took over the varsity. That first year, we went 1-18.”

This season, worked with a lot of great people and kids,” ters and we could not finish games,” Hegemier didn’t lose Hegemier said. “But the thing that I really Hegemier said. “We had to learn how to coma game as his New Knoxville squad finished missed was the high school tournament. pete.” 27-0 with a convincing win over Worthington That’s one reason why I got back into it.” The Rangers learned quickly. After a 17-5 Christian in the Division IV state champiAnother was timing. Although Hegemier campaign in 2005-06, New Knoxville went 25onship at Ohio State’s Value City Arena on said he never gave coaching New Knoxville 1 last season, losing in the regional finals. March 15. The Rangers were the state’s only much thought, his brother had. The girls This year there was no bump in the road. undefeated boys team and had an average coach at New Knoxville, Tim Hegemier, Dan’s New Knoxville won only one game by less margin of victory of 27 points per game. younger brother by two years, called his older than double-digits and defended its Midwest The title was New Knoxville’s first in any sibling to inform him of the boys opening in Athletic Conference championship. The sport and marked the program’s first trip to 2004. Rangers are the smallest school in the MAC the state tournament since a runner-up finish Tim Hegemier, himself, is a coach of note, and will graduate 34 students in June. 61 years ago in 1947. having led the Rangers girls team to the state “We have a bunch of kids that all know how As a result, Hegemier earns the nod as the final last season. to play,” Hegemier said. “They all have high Ohio High Magazine/Huntington Bank Ohio “(Tim) said the job opened up at New skill, they are athletic and they can run and Boys Basketball Coach of the Year. Knoxville and that I had to take it,” Hegemier catch the ball. They can shoot and put the Hegemier, a 1970 New Knoxville grad, said. “So that’s where I’m at.” ball on the floor when they have to and they knows the significance of state champiWhere New Knoxville is at now is a better are very unselfish. They are always looking onships in rural Ohio. place. for the next pass and the easy shot. None of “When I grew up, people talked a lot about Saying the hardest part of the process was our kids have to force a shot.” the 1947 team,” Hegemier said. “Now they teaching the kids how to win, Hegemier and Although Hegemier said he doesn’t can talk about another.” the Rangers went 10-12 his first year (2004“preach” unselfishness, his kids get it and Hegemier’s teams are usually hard to for05). everything else he teaches. All five New get. The state title may have been New “We’d have everybody beat for three quarKnoxville starters averaged double-figures. Knoxville’s first, but it was “My basic philosophy is to get the Hegemier’s third. ball inside,” Hegemier said. “Once it A seasoned coach with a career goes inside then you figure out what New Knoxville’s trip to state was its second in history and first record of 444-169 after stops at to do with it, but get it inside first. in 61 years. The Rangers finished state runner-up in 1947. Waynesfield, Spencerville, Fort “And I don’t care who shoots it. If Loramie and New Knoxville, you’re going to shoot though, you betHegemier made a name for himself ter make some. If you’re going to at Fort Loramie, where he still serves shoot and not make any, don’t shoot. as the guidance counselor. About three-quarters of the way Hegemier led the Redskins to state through the season our top six guys titles in 1987 (Class A) and 1993 (Dhad taken about the same amount of IV). Fort Loramie also made the shots according to the stats. They state tournament in 1988. weren’t off by any more than 10 to 15. After Waynesfield, Hegemier spent That’s when you know you have four seasons at Spencerville and something special. There’s no preachthen came to Fort Loramie before ing about it. It’s just hit the open man the 1984-85 season. Over the next and move, move, move.” 16 years, he compiled 298 victories Moving on isn’t something and turned the Redskins into one of Hegemier sees himself doing in the the state’s top small school pronear future and more than likely this is grams. Loramie was fueled by forthe last stop on his coaching carousel. mer Ohio State player Tom New Knoxville faithful couldn’t be Brandewie during their tournament more content. And actually, neither runs in the 1980s. could the coach. Eventually, Hegemier moved on. “You can’t rank the state titles, Citing that it was “time to do somebecause all the kids and all the titles thing different,” the coach found that are very, very special,” Hegemier said. outlet at Wright State University’s “But this (latest) one is special to me Lake Campus in Celina. personally because it’s the first state Hegemier led the Lakers program title at New Knoxville. for four years, going 71-50. “We brought one back to the homePhoto by Nick Falzerano “It was definitely different and I town.” — OH

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update ven with Lakewood St. Edward star Delvon Roe having to sit out the season with an unfortunate knee injury, the 2007-08 boys basketball campaign in Ohio will be remembered for a plethora of shining stars, formidable teams and classic games, including one for the ages in the state finals. Roe’s fellow preseason “Mr. Basketball” candidates – OSU signees B.J. Mullens and William Buford, future Cincinnati Bearcat Yancy Gates and others – played up to and beyond expectations and headlined a particularly strong senior class. Meanwhile, many players a grade or two below that group put together breakthrough seasons. In fact, several freshmen exploded onto the scene, most notably Cincinnati Aiken newcomer Chane Behanan, who was, get this, a seventh-grader the previous year. Even without the highly talented 6-8 Roe, St. Ed stunningly advanced all the way to the Division I state title game. But the emerging story at Ohio State’s Value City Arena was the championship won in impressive fashion by Newark, which was led by somewhat overlooked senior Greg Avery. The funneling of the Division II field was even more compelling. The 7-1 Mullens of Canal Winchester and the 6-5 Buford of Toledo Libbey appeared to be on a collision course to meet in the state semifinals. But after Canal was ousted by undefeated St. Paris Graham in regional play, Libbey took out Graham in the state semis to set up an epic final with Chillicothe. The Cavaliers won by a single point in overtime, 70-69, when star point guard Anthony Hitchens knifed through the defense and the length of the court in less than five seconds and connected with center Ray Chambers for a layup just before the final horn. Onlookers immediately labeled it as one of the best state finals in many years. In Divisions III and IV, respectively, Ottawa-Glandorf and New Knoxville each won state titles in blowout fashion. However, Division III runner-up Sugarcreek Garaway showcased a building block for the future in the form of 6-8 freshman Paul Honigford. While youngsters like Behanan and Honigford were bursting onto the scene, sophomores Jared Sullinger of Columbus Northland and Juwan Staten of Dayton Thurgood Marshall proved already polished enough to receive several offers from major programs before committing. The 6-8 Sullinger actually verbaled to Ohio State in the summer and went on to become a force inside for one of the state’s top teams. Staten, a slippery 5-10 point guard, rained baskets on all comers and excelled to the point where several Midwestern programs courted him heavily. He decided to end his recruitment and opted to commit to the nearby University of Dayton. In short, there were quality players in all parts of the state and in all classes, although the 2009 group paled in comparison to the others. “There are a several juniors who had good seasons, but that class just doesn’t stack up player for player with 2008 and 2010 in terms of depth and the number of elite prospects,” said Chris Johnson, the Ohio editor for HoopScoopOnline.com and our resident expert at Ohio High. Once again, we have enlisted Johnson to rate the top players in all four classes and offer comments where appropriate. Johnson offers his opinions on the very tight race for senior player of the year and also crowns a new top junior and reshuffles some of the rankings since we last checked in with this list in January. The following list contains pertinent recruiting information, statistics and postseason plaudits for key in-state players and our updated rankings for each class, including the most recent national class rankings by ESPN.com (ES) and HoopScoopOnline.com (HS) where applicable:

Seniors (Class of 2008)

T-1. William Buford, 6-5, wing forward, Toledo Libbey (ES, 8th; HS, 21st) – We tagged Buford, Mullens and Roe as co-holders of the No. 1 ranking before the season and Roe, who is signed with Michigan

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Lakewood St. Edward senior Tom Pritchard averaged 16 points and was named first team All-Ohio. He’s headed to Indiana.

Photo by Gary Housteau

JJ H u dd le’s O h io High

STORY BY JEFF RAPP State, had to be moved below his future Big Ten combatants after suffering his injury right at the beginning of the season. Buford and Mullens, meanwhile, were neck and neck throughout the season with one fantastic outing after another. Buford, though, was able to guide his team to the state tournament in Columbus in mid-March. Upon his arrival there, he was hailed as “Mr. Basketball” by The Associated Press, putting him in the same company with his idol and the original winner, former Toledo Macomber star Jim Jackson. After producing 28.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a junior, Buford averaged 22.9 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists as a senior and shouldered the Cowboys’ run to a 24-3 season that came up a bucket short of a state championship. He showed he could do it all on the court by pulling down timely rebounds, splashing jumpers, slashing to the hoop and getting teammates involved with his outstanding leadership and passing. “He had a great season and showed why his game is so effective,” Johnson said. “The thing that he probably needs to work on is being a little bit more aggressive and assertive. Sometimes he’s unselfish to a fault.” Buford signed with OSU on the first possible day, joining Mullens and out-of-state guards Anthony “Noopy” Crater and Walter Offutt in the class He went on to be named co-Ohio player of the year in Division II along with Mullens and was first-team all-state, all-district and the area POY. He ended his brilliant career with 2,059 points, second all-time to Jackson in Toledo City league history. T-1. B.J. Mullens, 7-1, center, Canal Winchester (ES, 12th; HS, 25th) – Mullens averaged 26.4 points, 14.1 rebounds and 4.4 blocked shots a game as a junior and he picked up right where he left off with some monster games during Canal’s hot start. That included a 62-point outburst in January in the Flyin’ To The Hoop Classic. Agile in the open floor and dominating in the paint, Mullens was unstoppable at times this season. He ended the year with averages of 26.2 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He also ignited many Indians fast breaks with perfect outlet passes, especially to teammate Remon Nelson. Somehow left off the first-team All-Ohio list in Division II last season, Mullens ended up finishing second – narrowly – in the voting for “Mr. Basketball.” “B.J. had a great year and just missed out on Mr. Basketball and lost in the regional semis,” Johnson said. “He was as good as any player in the state and a real consistent force.” Mullens was named co-POY in Division II and also earned district and area honors as player of the year. His field-goal percentage of 70.0 was tops in central Ohio as was his rebounding average. After the season, Mullens joined Buford in Milwaukee as a McDonald’s All-American. He played well there against the top seniors in the nation and he’s expected to hold his own in the Big Ten right away for the Buckeyes, who plan to plug him into the pivot immediately as a starter and game-changer. “He just needs to make sure he stays focused on the game and learns to play hard the whole game, not take off parts where his mind wanders sometimes,” Johnson said. 3. Delvon Roe, 6-8, power forward, Lakewood St. Edward (ES, 5th; HS, 4th) – A consistent top-five recruit according to all the major services, Roe entered his final year with the Eagles on top of his game and seemingly looking down at the competition. But he fell from that pedestal after suffering an injury in the nationally televised tilt with North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall at the beginning of the season. After consulting with doctors, Roe opted for the microfrature surgery in hopes of regenerating cartilage in the joint. He underwent that procedure Dec. 17 and now is making a full and speedy recovery. “Everything is going well with the knee,” Johnson said. “There are no complications and they expect him to make a full recovery.” When he is full-go, Roe is one of the most energetic and effective

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update players in the state if not the country. He runs the floor extremely well and excels at slipping through opponents for driving baskets and rebounds. The versatile lefty also has worked to become a dangerous outside shooter, which makes him a perfect fit as a combo forward in coach Tom Izzo’s system at Michigan State. Roe signed with the Spartans in the fall and is expecting to be back to his old form this summer. As a junior, Roe guided the Eagles to a 25-1 mark and averaged 22.0 points and eight rebounds a game in earning Division I All-Ohio honors. 4. Yancy Gates, 6-9, power forward, Cincinnati Withrow (ES, 26th; HS, 14th) – Hulking and multiskilled, Gates was a true superstar in his final prep season. He was effective inside and out for the Tigers, who lost in the final seconds to rival Cincinnati St. Xavier in the regional finals for the second straight year. Gates finished the campaign with an average of 21.2 ppg and he was among the area’s leading rebounders at 10.9 per contest. He signed with the University of Cincinnati in a move that was hailed as perhaps the most significant recruiting coup so far for UC coach Mick Cronin. “He’s the guy they’re counting on to lead them back to the Huggins era, when they were a perennial top-20 team,” Johnson said. Gates averaged 19.4 points and eight rebounds a game in earning second-team All-Ohio honors in Division I as a junior. As a senior, he earned first-team All-Ohio honors in Division I and was named player of the year by The Associated Press. He also was dubbed the Southwest district POY in an area rife with talent. “He had a great senior season,” Johnson said. “And his skills should translate to the point where he’s an immediate impact in college.” 5. Kenny Frease, 7-0, center, Massillon Perry (ES, 37st; HS, 79th) – Frease was named first-team All-Ohio in D-I after putting in an admirable senior season in which he averaged 20.5 ppg. He continued to play with a high motor and teams’ only recourse was to double-team him whenever he tried to set up shop in the post. Frease dealt with various nagging injuries last season, but still managed to average right on 15 points and 11 rebounds per game and was named third-team All-Ohio in Division I. After a terrific and healthy senior season, he’s set up to provide immediate help inside at Xavier. He signed with the Musketeers in November. “He’s always been a good prospect and now he gets to join a great program,” Johnson said. 6. Josh Benson, 6-10, power forward, Dayton Dunbar (ES, 117th) – Benson averaged 10.1 ppg as a junior and nearly doubled that this past season, posting 18.9 ppg. He was up over 20 points an outing for much of the season after popping for 48 in his first game. After carrying Dunbar, one of the top Division II teams in the state, to another huge season, Benson was named the D-II Southwest district player of the year. He also made first-team All-Ohio. Next up for Benson is to lift off for the Dayton Flyers. “He’s an exciting prospect who should do very well at UD,” Johnson said. “He’ll fit in right away and provide much-needed size for that program.” 7. Tom Pritchard, 6-8, power forward, Lakewood St. Edward (ES, 121st) – Pritchard not only provided his usual yeoman work inside for the Eagles, he became a consistent threat shooting from 15 feet on pick-and-roll plays and developed into a leader for a team that was riddled with injuries and also lost point guard Pe’Shon Howard in the offseason. An Indiana signee, Pritchard averaged 16.0 ppg, up three points from his junior season, and earned Northeast Lakes district POY honors after St. Ed marched all the way to the Division I final. He also was named to the All-Ohio first team in Division I. “He basically carried that team on his shoulders with injuries to two

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update starters and the transfer of another starter,” Johnson said. “Of all the guys in the top 10, he improved more than anybody.” 8. Bud Mackey, 6-3, shooting guard, Cincinnati Harmony Community – Orginally from Scott County in Kentucky, Mackey transferred from there after his well-publicized arrest for drug charges. He signed originally with Indiana but was let out of his scholarship because of the legal troubles. Still, Mackey is worth listing because of his natural ability and collegiate potential. Very athletic and quick, Mackey is an adept ball handler and excellent scorer. “He’s in a serious legal situation, but if he gets cleared of the charges he will be an outstanding recruit for someone,” Johnson said. 9. Chris Johnson, 6-5, wing forward, Columbus Brookhaven – It’s possible no one was more important to their team this year than Johnson. Simply put, he makes the Bearcats’ offense function and he also often ignites their defensive pressure with his long arms and athleticism. With the ball in his hands, Johnson is a triple threat to either pass, drive or shoot – and he can launch his picturesque left-handed jumper over any defender at any time. Johnson averaged 24.4 ppg, 13.2 rpg and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior and was a second-team All-Ohio pick in Division I. He took another step as a senior, averaging 26.2 ppg and being named first team All-Ohio and the Central district player of the year in Division I. Johnson popped for 28 points in the season-opening win at Chillicothe, the eventual D-II state champs, and he never let up. “He really lived up to billing with a great senior year,” said his namesake. “He carried Brookhaven to another regional final four.” Johnson will join Benson and a team loaded with mined in-state talent when he enrolls at Dayton in time for next season. 10. Anthony Hitchens, 5-9, point guard, Chillicothe – One of the state’s most exciting and charismatic players because of his special flair on Photo by Gary Housteau the hardwood, Hitchens did more than just entertain in his senior season – he won a state title. His signature play which led to the basket by Chambers will go down in state tournament lore and Chilly fans will remember his accomplishments for a long, long time. In that title game, he produced 24 points, six rebounds and eight assists, the last one the most memorable of his career. The Cavaliers had not captured the crown since 1930. Hitchens produced 21.6 ppg and was among the top vote-getters for “Mr. Basketball.” He was first-team all-state in D-II and also was tabbed as the Southeast district POY. Last season, he averaged 18.5 ppg and earned second-team AllOhio honors. An Akron signee, Hitchens will take his show northeast next season. 11. Devon Moore, 6-4, point guard, Columbus Northland (HS, 81st) – Moore’s scoring average dipped from 16.5 ppg as a junior to 14.2 this past season but analysts and Northland coach Satch Sullinger

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believe that he took major strides forward as a senior in terms of leadership, ball distribution, recognition and clutch play. Moore made the Vikings a winner, and the team’s 45-2 combined record the last two seasons with him at the controls amplifies the point more than anything. “I told Devon before the season that this was his team and he did everything I asked of him,” Sullinger said. “He’s a terrific kid and a great point guard.” Moore dished out nearly eight assists per game and guided Northland to a 24-1 record as a senior. He was named second-team All-Ohio in Division I and first-team all-district. Moore was still uncommitted heading into the late signing period and was considering attending a postgraduate school with designs on improving his academic standing and earning a scholarship from Ohio State or another major program. He has offers from most of the MAC schools, James Madison and possibly Penn State. 12. Johnie Davis, 6-1, point guard, Canton Timken – Unsigned Toledo Whitmer senlike Moore, Davis played like someone ior Ryne Smith is who was intent on proving his worth. headed to Purdue. He jumped all the way up from No. 19 on this list just a few months earlier. Davis transferred from Canton McKinley to become a leader on a young and talented Timken team that posted an undefeated regular season and kept rolling all the way to the regional final, losing to Toledo Whitmer. He came through with 19.4 ppg and earned a spot on the All-Ohio first team in Division I. He also was named the Stark County player of the year by the Canton Repository and the Northeast Inland District co-POY, sharing that award with Frease and Rumel Mitchell of Akron Firestone A very talented and explosive player, Davis could be a combo guard on the next level. 13. Ryne Smith, 6-3, shooting guard, Toledo Whitmer – One of the area’s top marksmen, Smith is a reliable outside shooter who logged 18.0 ppg a year after putting up 17.0 per outing. He committed to Purdue in midsummer and is signed with the Boilermakers. Smith led Whitmer to the state final four, where the squad lost to eventual Division I champ Newark. He was named all-district and second-team all-state. 14. Greg Avery, 6-3, shooting guard, Newark – Perhaps the only player who had a more life-changing final week of the season than Buford was Avery, who verbaled to longtime suitor Western Carolina days before playing in the state tournament then led Newark to an improbable Division I title. It was the fourth crown for the school but first since 1943. Moments after Avery’s performance in the Wildcats’ 65-52 win over Lakewood St. Edward, historians were referencing it among the best efforts in school and tournament finals history. He clipped the Eagles with 33 points, hit 14 of 18 shots from the floor, and added 11 rebounds and three assists. “That was one of the best games I’ve seen a Newark player have, and I’ve seen a lot of Newark games,” coach and former player Jeff

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update Quackenbush told reporters afterward. Caiola, 5-9, point guard, Parma Normandy (Massachusetts-Lowell); Avery quickly received more offers after his impressive finale but at Robbie Taylor, 5-9, shooting guard, Gahanna Lincoln (Mt. Vernon last check he was still committed to Western Carolina. He finished the Nazarene). season averaging 18.6 ppg and was third-team all-state. Unsigned – Rayshawn Goins, 6-5, wing forward, Cleveland Glenville; 15. Chris Henderson, 6-7, power forward, Warren Harding – Agile Damon Butler, 5-9, point guard, Cincinnati North College Hill; Courtney big man is hearing from several MAC schools but is still unsigned. Davis, 6-3, shooting guard, Cincinnati Taft; Troy Long, 6-0, shooting Moved up two spots on this list and figures to keep getting better at the guard, Cincinnati Withrow; Tyrone Lindsay, 6-2, shooting guard, next level. Averaged 12.4 ppg. Honorable mention all-state. Mansfield Senior; Charles Winkfield, 6-2, shooting guard, Huber 16. Robert Wilson, 6-5, wing forward, Garfield Heights – Transfer Heights Wayne; Antonio Bumpus, 6-2 shooting guard, Columbus from Cleveland Rhodes has helped GH become one of the most balEastmoor Academy; Scott Stucky, 6-2, shooting guard, Dublin Coffman; anced teams in the state. Highly athletic wing who has signed with Eric Armstrong, 6-7, power forward, Fairfield; Cameron Johnson, 6-7, Wisconsin. Drops from No. 9 on this list but still had his share of big power forward, Cincinnati Aiken; Deonta Johnson, 6-7, power forward, games. Averaged 18.0 ppg and was named second-team All-Ohio. Cincinnati Sycamore; Sean Hobbs, 7-0, center, Columbus DeSales; 17. Kyle Rudolph, 6-6, power forward, Cincinnati Elder – Signed Kyle Smith, 6-10, center, Norwalk; Andre Harris, 6-4, wing forward, a football letter-of-intent with Notre Dame as a tight end but still one of Zanesville; Taylor Hobbs, 6-4, wing forward, Worthington Thomas the area’s top hoopsters. A two time Worthington; Ray Chambers, 6-6, Greater Catholic League player of the power forward, Chillicothe; Frankie Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph senior Ashen Ward is headyear, Rudolph averaged 14.8 ppg and Dobbs, 6-1, point guard, Lakewood St. ed to Youngstown State. 8.6 rpg as a senior. A first-team all-disEdward; Remon Nelson, 5-9, point trict player. guard, Canal Winchester 18. Damian Eargle, 6-8, power forward, Warren Harding – Shot Juniors (Class of blocker and rebounding machine who 2009) is signed with UNC-Greensboro. 1. Garrick Sherman, 6-10, center, Averaged 13.6 ppg and was named Kenton – There’s a new sheriff in first-team all-district. Eargle combined town. with Henderson to give Harding one Sherman moves all the way up from of the top frontcourts in the state. the No. 7 slot after a breakout junior 19. Scott Thomas, 6-6, wing forseason and his recent commitment to ward, Delaware Buckeye Valley – Michigan State. He was outstanding Consistent and sometimes unstopfrom beginning to end and was named pable performer who is signed with second-team all-state in Division II Bowling Green. Had a huge senior after racking up 23.6 ppg and adding season with 26.6 ppg. One of the best right around 15 rebounds and five around at using screens and shooting blocks per contest. with a hand in his face. A first-team “He’s a physical, aggressive pivot all-Central district recipient in Division man with great hands,” Johnson said. II. “He can be effective on the pick-and20. Ashen Ward, 6-3, shooting roll and can shoot the little face-up guard, Cleveland Villa-St. Joseph – jumper, kind of in the mold of a Jason Signed with Youngstown State. Put up Andreas and some of the other big 11.2 ppg for one of the top teams in men who have played for Tom Izzo the state in Division III. over the years.” Best Of The Rest: Signed – Logan Sherman picked the Spartans over Aronholt, 6-4, wing forward, Zanesville Purdue and Notre Dame. He was (Albany); Anthony McBride, 6-1, point Photo by Gary Housteau hailed as the area POY by the Lima guard, Cincinnati Withrow (Walsh News and was first-team all-district. University); Brad Loesing, 5-9, point 2. Carl Jones, 5-11, point guard, Garfield Heights – Another junior guard, Cincinnati St. Xavier (Wofford); Alex Sullivan, 5-10, point guard, who made a huge leap, Jones moved up 10 spots from No. 13 in midPainesville Riverside (Akron); Quinn McDowell, 6-4, wing forward, season and now has inched his way to No. 2. Cincinnati Moeller (William & Mary); Andrew Spradlin, 6-3, shooting “He reached star status this season,” Johnson said. “He’s just super guard, Wheelersburg (Elon College); Travis Kelce, 6-5, wing forward, quick, a great ball handler and a real dangerous scoring point guard.” Cleveland Heights (Cincinnati, on football scholarship); Julius Wells, 6Jones was a standout on one of the state’s best teams and exploded 5, wing forward, Toledo Libbey (Marist); J.R. Weston, 6-4, wing forward, with 25.7 ppg as a junior. First-team all-district and special mention allMorral Ridgedale (Stetson); Walt Gibler, 6-6, power forward, Cincinnati state. St. Xavier (Loyola of Chicago); Zac Taylor, 6-8, power forward, Oregon Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and virtually all of the MAC schools Clay (Toledo); Brandon Baker, 6-6, power forward, Milford (Belmont); are courting. Andrew Parrish, 6-7, power forward, Claymont Northmont (Akron); Kyle 3. Desmar Jackson, 6-4, shooting guard, Warren Harding (HS, Jazwiecki, 6-7, power forward, Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 63rd) – Jackson has dropped a couple pegs after a fairly mediocre (Presbyterian); Eric Coggins, 6-8, center, Canton Central Catholic campaign by his standards. He averaged 14.1 ppg and was a second (Quinnipiac); TeAllen Price, 6-8, center, Cincinnati Woodward teamer on the Northeast Inland all-district list after pumping in 20.2 ppg (Centenary); Matt Roberts, 6-8, center, Cincinnati Moeller (The Citadel); last year and receiving special mention for All-Ohio. Chris Crockett, 5-10, point guard, Columbus Academy (Columbia); Kyle

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update Jackson is still considering a college career in football, but basketball could be his meal ticket. “There’s still time for him to get back up to the top,” Johnson said. “He’s got the talent. Next year will be interesting. He and Sheldon Brogdon will need to carry the load with the loss of inside players Eargle and Henderson.” 4. Matt Kavanaugh, 6-10, center, Centerville – Big center who’s already committed to the University of Dayton. Averaged 20.3 ppg and was named first-team All-Southwest district. 5. Robert Capobianco, 6-7, power forward, Loveland – Johnson rated him at No. 5 going into the season, moved him up to No. 1 midwinter and now has him back at his original spot. Wherever Capobianco fits in the equation, it’s safe to say he’s a major college prospect. The forward committed to Indiana and new coach Tom Crean on April 16. He also had interest from West Virginia, Marquette and St. Louis. How loaded is southwest Ohio with talent? Consider that Capobianco scored 21.2 ppg and was among the area leaders in rebounds at 11.8 per game and still couldn’t crack first team in the district. He was named to the second team. As as sophomore the versatile forward averaged 19.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg. 6. Darren Goodson, 6-4, wing forward, Cincinnati Aiken – Teamed with fellow BG commitment Cortez Howell in the backcourt as well as Behanan to make Aiken a formidable squad. Savvy performer and scorer who was honorable mention all-district. 7. Reggie Keely, 6-7, power forward, Cleveland Heights – Thirdteam All-Southwest District. Transferred after the season from Bedford, where he averaged 15.3 ppg. 8. Bill Edwards, 6-5, wing forward, Middletown (HS, 56th) – The son of the former Wright State superstar with the same name, Edwards is receiving overtures from his dad’s alma mater, Cincinnati, Dayton, St. Louis and several MAC schools. Was named first-team All-Southwest Photo by Gary Housteau District after scoring 17.5 ppg. 9. Danny McElroy, 6-7, power forward, Cincinnati LaSalle (HS, 46th) – Will join Gates at UC after committing to the Bearcats. Averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg as a soph and improved on those figures this season at right around 14 points and seven boards per outing. Honorable mention all-district. 10. Robert Johnson, 6-6, wing forward, Garfield Heights – Meshed well with Keely and began opening the eyes of college coaches. Like Keely and Randall Holt, bolted from Bedford after the season. Honorable mention in Northeast Lakes District. Could be poised for bigger things at thriving D-I program. 11. Allen Roberts, 6-2, shooting guard, Middletown – A teammate of Edwards who continues to show improvement. Powerful, explosive two-guard who also can play the point. Honorable mention all-district in Division I. 12. Marquis Horne, 6-7, power forward, Cincinnati Princeton – Big-time athlete who is currently considering offers from MAC schools.

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Will combine with classmate Orlando Williams, a talented 6-3 shooting guard, and Jordan Sibert, a 6-4 sophomore wing, to make the Vikings one of top teams in southwestern Ohio next season. Also made honorable mention all-district in D-I. 13. Dane Kopp, 6-9, center, Newark – Still-improving big man who can now call himself a state champion. Kopp had seven points and 11 rebounds in the state title game win. “He kind of had a disappointing regular season but much like Greg Avery he came on like gangbusters in the state tournament,” Johnson said. “He basically outplayed Tom Pritchard in the state championship game.” Great defender and good rebounder who needs to continue to work on his offensive skills. Honorable mention all-state in Division I. 14. Drew McGhee, 6-9, center, North Ridgeville – Improved greatly this past season. Skilled big man who can hit consistently from the elbow. Honorable mention all-district but could shoot up the charts. Newark junior 15. Randal Holt, 5-11, point Dane Kopp helped guard, Cleveland Glenville – the Wildcats claim Second-team all-district pick after the D-I state title. averaging 20.4 ppg as a sophomore at Bedford. Followed up this past season with 19.8 ppg and was named honorable mention all-state but then participated in the exodus from Bedford and chose Glenville, which would be closer to his college home. Orginially committed to Cleveland State but claims he is now open again. Best Of The Rest: Committed – Anthony Wells, 6-0, point guard, Shaker Heights (Cleveland State); Zach Brown, 6-1, shooting guard, Mason (Lipscomb), Cortez Howell, 61, point guard, Cincinnati Aiken (Bowling Green). Uncommitted – Sheldon Brogdon, 6-1 shooting guard, Warren Harding; Orlando Williams, 6-3, shooting guard, Cincinnati Princeton; Jon Smith, 6-7, power forward, Grove City; Jared Porrini, 6-3, shooting guard, North Canton Hoover; Daylen Harrison, 6-6, wing forward, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary; Aaron Robinson, 6-2, shooting guard, Trotwood-Madison; Ryan Siggins, 6-5, wing forward Kettering Alter; Justin Jamison, 6-8, center, Cleveland Benedictine; Lamar McKnight, 6-6, power forward, Bedford Chanel; Luke Kraus, 6-1, point guard, Findlay; D.J. Cunningham, 6-10, center, Waterford.

Sophomores (Class of 2010)

1. Jared Sullinger, 6-8, power forward, Columbus Northland (HS, 17th) – Sullinger holds firm at the top of this list and continues to show why he was good enough to accept a scholarship offer from Ohio State. After coming off the bench last season he became a true force inside with his versatility, soft hands and rebounding prowess. Sullinger contributed mightily in all 24 of Northland’s wins this past season. However, his father sat him out of a district semifinal game because of academic concerns and the Vikings were ousted from the postseason by Westerville North. “Lesson learned,” Sullinger said recently. “I know what I have to do

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Boys Basketball Recruiting Update

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So far, Baylor is among those making an early push. 9. Anton Hutchens, 6-3, shooting guard, Lima Senior – Another in a long line of athletic scoring guards from Lima. Produced 18.5 ppg as a soph and was named second-team all-Northwest district in Division I. 10. Griffin McKenzie, 6-8, center, Cincinnati Moeller – Next in line to play a huge role inside for one of the state’s best programs Best Of The Rest: Uncommitted – Kenny Knight, 6-6, power forward, Cincinnati Winton Woods; Jordan Hicks, 6-2, shooting guard, Westchester Lakota West; Aaron Craft, 6-2, point guard, Findlay Liberty Benton; Greg Gainey, 6-4, wing forward, Trotwood-Madison; Derek Jackson, 6-0, point guard, Cleveland Benedictine.

Freshmen (Class of 2011)

1. Chane Behanan, 6-6, power forward, Cincinnati Aiken – Powerful, spring-legged post player who will be dominant once he finetunes his footwork on turn moves. Averaged a whopping 20.2 ppg. A player to follow this summer for the Cleveland Basketball Club AAU squad. All the top programs in the Midwest, including Ohio State, already are hot on the trail of this supremely talented youngster. 2. Stevie Taylor, 5-8, point guard, Gahanna Lincoln – Cat-quick point who gained major experience by garnering quality playing time for the Lions. Already well-regarded nationally despite his diminutive frame. Honorable mention all-district in D-I. 3. Paul Honigford, 6-8, power forward, Sugarcreek Garaway – Put up 10.4 ppg in his debut season, including 12 points in the Division II state final. Also yanked down a dozen rebounds in that loss to OttawaGlandorf. Face-up player who’s learning how to play inside as well. Could project as a wing forward at the collegiate level. 4. Jehvon Clark, 6-0, shooting guard, Canton Timken – One of three talented freshmen on the Timken team, which will make Trojans the team to beat in the Canton area for the foreseeable future. 5. James Price, 6-9, center, Lakewood St. Edward – Played sparingly as a frosh but has the size and ability to be the next great inside player for the tradition-rich Eagles. Best Of The Rest: Uncommitted – Richard Johnson, 5-7, point guard Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary; Kirby Wright, 6-7, wing forward, Liberty Township Lakota East; Vinnie Zollo, 6-7, power forward, Greenfield McClain; Traevon Jackson, 6-2, shooting guard, Westerville South; Will Weeks, 6-4, wing forward, Richfield Revere; Anton Grady, 6-6, power forward, Cleveland Central Catholic; Chauncey Orr, 6-3, wing forward, Bowling Green; Cheatum Norrils, 5-10, point guard, Toledo St. John’s; Brandon Neel, 6-3, wing forward, Cincinnati LaSalle; Trey Burke, 5-9, point guard, Columbus Northland; Markus Crider, 6-5, wing forward, Huber Heights Wayne. Photo by Nick Falzerano

now and I can’t let something like that ever happen again.” Sullinger averaged 20.5 ppg and right around 12 rpg. He was named first-team all-Central district and third team all-state, the only sophomore to make any of the first three teams in Division I. He will spend the summer as a standout for the highly accomplished All-Ohio Red AAU program. 2. Adreian Payne, 6-9, center, Dayton Jefferson – A long-armed shot blocker with a developing game, Payne has vast potential and continues to excel. Dayton, Xavier, Ohio State and Indiana continue to show interest as well as Cincinnati and West Virginia. A star at the Division IV level, Payne put 15.4 ppg and was named first-team All-Southwest District. He teams up with Sullinger on the AAU circuit for All-Ohio Red. 3. Juwan Staten, 5-10, point guard, Dayton Thurgood Marshall (HS, 79th) – Enjoyed an eye-opening sophomore season by scoring 23.6 ppg and being named first-team alldistrict in Division II. A confident lead guard who knows how to run his team. Now committed to Dayton, choosing the Flyers over Xavier and others. Yet another standout for All-Ohio Red. 4. Cameron Wright, 6-3, shooting guard, Cleveland Benedictine – Wanted to show he was deserving of a scholarship offer that he accepted from Ohio State and did so with a very solid campaign. A versatile and dynamic athlete with good size and all-around skill, Wright already has been compared to a young David Lighty at the same stage of development. He averaged 18.5 ppg and earned first-team honors AllNortheast Lakes District. Will again team with classmate Derek Jackson, a talented point guard, to give Benedictine a chance to move far into next year’s postseason. Dayton Jefferson sopho5. Allen Payne, 6-5, wing forward, more Adreian Payne is Cincinnati Winton Woods – Moved being courted by Ohio into the top five prior to the season State, Indiana, Dayton and lived up to the billing. Sinewy and Xavier among others. wing who appears fully recovered from a knee injury suffered last year. Averaged 12.9 ppg. Third-team all-district. 6. Jordan Sibert, 6-4, wing forward, Cincinnati Princeton – Continues to flourish and already is off to a hot start on the AAU circuit this offseason with All-Ohio Red. Fearless wing with a consistent stroke. Could climb on this list next season. Honorable mention in the Southwest District. 7. Nick Kellogg, 6-2, point guard, Columbus DeSales (HS, 43rd) – Son of former Ohio State star Clark Kellogg who averaged 10.0 ppg as a frosh and more than doubled that total this past season by producing 22.1 ppg for the Stallions. Strong and highly competitive lead guard. Second-team all-state in Division II. 8. J.D. Weatherspoon, 6-6, wing forward, Columbus Northland – High-flying, energetic wing who specializes in crowd-pleasing dunks but also manages to make lots of clutch plays. Honorable mention all-district performer who is beginning to attract lots of attention from schools.

For more updates on Ohio’s top prospects and those nationally, check out Chris Johnson’s work at hoopscooponline.com

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Girls Basketball State Tournament

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Photos by Nick Falzerano, Gary Housteau & John Ritter

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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ & MATT NATALI

Girls Basketball State Tournament

he 33rd annual OHSAA State Girls Basketball Tournament took place March 7-10 and it was quite a memorable event – not only for the action on the court but also the full court press Mother Nature put on Ohio’s state capital. The tournament was hampered by one of the worst blizzards Columbus has ever seen as the Capital City collected over 20 inches of snow in a 36hour period. But after some postponing and rescheduling, two traditional girls basketball powers escaped with state titles once again, while two other schools hoisted state championship trophies for the first time. The following is a look at the 2008 state girls basketball tournament: Division I State Championship

In an up-tempo, fast-paced game, MND jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead as the opening frame saw three ties and four lead changes. MND went in to the half clinging to a 29-28 lead and led 54-48 after three quarters. With less than two minutes left in the game, MND led 65-59 but Lakota West’ Alexis Rogers ripped off eight straight points, including two late free throws, to put the Firebirds up 67-65. MND’s Tia McBride then tied the game on a lay up with less than 30 seconds left to set up the Cougars late-game heroics. MND ended Lakota West’s season last year in the regional finals but the Firebirds played in the Columbus bracket in the post-

Mount Notre Dame made its fifth straight trip to the Division I final.

Controversial Shot Lifts Mount Notre Dame To Third Straight Division I Title

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What You Need To Know Photo by John Ritter

It is a shot that every high school basketball player dreams of making – a buzzer-beater to win a state championship. That dream came true for Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame freshman Kathryn Reynolds as she laid in a bucket at the horn giving the Cougars a 69-67 win over West Chester Lakota West and a third straight Division I state championship. MND’s three consecutive titles are a Division I record and it is the Cougars’ fourth championship in five years. “I was thinking about (pulling up for a jumper) but I could miss that and a layup is more of a shot you can make so I went for the easy shot,” Reynolds said. “It just went in and I couldn’t even believe it.” “I saw her look up at the clock and I believed that she was going to get it off,” MND head coach Dante Harlan said. “I just had my fingers crossed and I am in disbelief right now. That was probably the best girls game I’ve ever seen.” Knotted at 67-67 following a Lakota West timeout and with 11 seconds left in the game, Firebirds guard Quinessa Johnson tried to feed the ball into the post from the top of the key to Tessa Elkins but MND’s Gabby Smith

knocked the pass away and Cougars forward Tia McBride came up with the loose ball. McBride pushed it out to guard Ashley Fowler who found a fast-breaking Reynolds – and as they say – the rest was history. The thrilling finish wasn’t without a bit of controversy, though, as it appeared Reynolds may not have gotten the shot off before the end of regulation. But the official at center court signaled that the basket counted and the call stood with no video review allowed in high school basketball. “It’s so close, it’s humanly impossible to tell,” said OHSAA assistant commissioner Hank Zaborniak. “It was a well-officiated game. The shot stands as good.”

West Chester Lakota West and Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame also met in the season opener, which West won 61-55. season this year setting up the Division I final between the two Cincinnati powers. MND (26-2) avenged a 61-55 seasonopening loss to Lakota West (26-2) with the state championship victory. “(Lakota West) is a great team and I hope everybody gives them credit,” Harlan said. It was the first state final four appearance for Lakota West. “I hope (my players) take pride in the fact they made it to the Final Four, won a final four semifinal game and played for a state championship,” Lakota West head coach Andy Fishman said. “We were a little unlucky tonight that we did not come out on top. Smith tallied 14 points for MND with Fowler

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Girls Basketball State Tournament adding eight. Reynolds netted seven. Rogers had a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. All-American forward and Tennessee recruit Amber Gray also doubledoubled with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

State Semifinal Results

Mount Notre Dame 66, Toledo Central Catholic 51 Neither rain, nor sleet – nor blizzard – could stop Mount Notre Dame in the state semifinal game against Toledo Central Catholic. With much of Ohio blanketed under snow and Columbus under a blizzard warning, MND got hot with a 19-0 third quarter run en route to a 66-51 win over the Lady Irish. Leading 30-25 at halftime in a fast-paced, up-and-down the court contest, MND began to execute its game plan to catch stride and frustrated both the Lady Irish and their loyal fans. The Cougars had four starters score in double digits with junior Gabby Smith netting 20 points going 9-of-13 from the floor. Junior Kendall Hackney tallied a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Senior wing Channing Hillman added 10 points and senior forward McBride registered 11 points. TCC (24-4) was paced by senior guard Shariese Calhoun with 17 points and senior center Brianna Jones with 12 points and 10 boards.

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Kettering Alter Rides Defense To First Girls Basketball State Title

The exploits of Kettering Alter’s boys basketball program are well known across Ohio. Time for the state to take notice of the Knights’ girls program, too. Using suffocating defensive pressure and the scoring punch of the Christie sisters, Nicole and Ashley, Alter claimed its first girls basketball state title with a convincing 60-46 win over Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown in the Division II final on March 10. The Knights forced 24 turnovers and scored 26 points off of them en route to the victory. The Christie sisters, Nicole (senior) and Ashley (sophomore) combined for 32 points. A 21-6 run to end the game iced the outcome. Alter, which has 10 district titles and five regional final appearances, can now add a girls trophy to a case filled with boys laurels. Photo by Nick Falzerano

Lakota West 62, Youngstown Boardman 42 No disrespect to Youngstown Boardman, but the biggest obstacle Lakota West faced on March 7 was getting to its game with the Spartans. Once there, the Firebirds rolled to a 62-42 win in a Division I girls basketball state semifinal tilt. Despite taking nearly two hours to get to the Schott from their Reynoldsburg hotel, the Firebirds added to their lofty credentials once inside. Gray had a game-high 20 points and led a Lakota West attack that had 10 players register points, including junior post Rogers, who logged 13. The Firebirds shot 50-percent in the first half as they opened up a 34-24 lead at the break. In the third quarter things worsened for Boardman. The Spartans went nearly five minutes without scoring, before Emily Abraham hit a three-pointer with 3:02 to play in the period. It was the only points Boardman scored in the quarter. Lakota West had no such problem putting the ball in the basket. The Firebirds opened up their largest lead, 54-32, with 4:10 to go. Michigan State recruit Courtney Schiffauer was the Spartans lone player in double-digits with 15 points.

Division II State Championship

Sophomore Ashley Christie scored a game-high 20 points in the state final.

Under the direction of Joe Petrocelli, Alter’s boys program has three state titles and over 800 wins. The Knights’ district title count verges on lunacy with 25-plus. “It’s an accomplishment for our whole team. They can never forget us now,” Alter senior Courtney Chihil said. “We’ve always been close but this year we pulled it out. It was our turn.” Said Alter co-coach Chris Hart: “It’s wonderful. What a great accomplishment for our program.” Great defense was the overriding factor. Alter slapped on the defensive pressure from the tip and opened up a 9-0 lead. The Knights led 16-10 after the first quarter as Hathaway Brown had eight turnovers in the first eight minutes. In the second quarter four straight threepointers, one by Nicole and three by Ashley Christie gave the Knights a 28-14 lead with 5:52 left before the half. After that Alter’s defense worked to Hathaway Brown’s advantage. Continuing to pressure, the Knights were whistled for 12 first half fouls. In the second quarter the Blazers translated the doublebonus into nine points at the line during a 132 run that closed the gap to 30-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, the teams traded blows with Hathaway Brown taking its first lead, 3735 on an Alexis Dobbs three-pointer with 2:25 to go. Alter regrouped to take the lead 39-37 heading into the fourth. In the final eight minutes Hathaway Brown

What You Need To Know

Alter’s title was the second by the Knights this year (also won D-II state cross country). Alter was also the D-II volleyball state champ last year. again fought back to take a 40-39 lead on a bucket by Mylan Woods with 7:16 to go. From that point on it was all Alter. The Knights regained the lead on a basket by Ali Mygrants (41-40) and then got the snowball rolling with another three-pointer from Nicole Christie. In the final seven minutes, Hathaway Brown scored six points, again faltering against Alter’s defense. The Knights scored 11 points off turnovers in the final frame. “That’s up there (with most turnovers we’ve had in a game this year),” Hathaway Brown head coach Paul Barlow said. “We did not handle their pressure like we needed to. That

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Girls Basketball State Tournament

What They Said

A look at some memorable quotes from the girls state basketball tournament

“The issue here is that weʼve set a bar thatʼs impossibly high. And weʼve set the bar ourselves, no question about it. When we lose a game itʼs man bites dog but we have to come to expect that and live with that and thatʼs ok. The kids understand that to a degree but theyʼre still 14, 15, 16 and 17 year old kids and I canʼt expect them to fully understand that. This reputation preceded them. Iʼm sure today will give them an illustration of what thatʼs all about.”

Regina head coach Pat Diulus after the Royals lost their first state game in 11 tries to Versailles. Regina was 10-0 with five titles prior.

“My two top schools were Ohio State and Tennessee. I took my trip to Tennessee and fell in love with it. When you walk onto campus and itʼs all about the womenʼs basketball program it kind of gets to you. Unlike (Ohio State) where itʼs all about the football team or the menʼs program. And who wouldnʼt want to play for coach Summitt if you had the opportunity to.” Lakota West senior Amber Gray on why she choose Tennessee for college.

"Yes. There is no way to sugarcoat that. Thereʼs no shame in two straight runner-up finishes and I bet there are a bunch of teams who would love to be in our position and have those trophies. But I think it is doubly-painful this year because we felt we were in a really good place to take home a state title and we didnʼt get it done today." Hathaway Brown head coach Paul Barlow when asked if the defeat in the state championship game this year hurts more than last year’s state final loss.

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was certainly a big factor. They played a great defensive ballgame.” “I think it is one thing to see it and another to experience it,” said Hart of Alter’s pressure. “Honestly. To have it right up on top of you is a whole other story. Until you experience that first hand I think it’s different.” Alter used its defense to bookend a memorable ride. Despite being outscored 27-23 in the second and third quarters, the Knights owned the first and fourth, outscoring the Blazers 37-19. “It’s hard to prepare for (Alter’s defense) in practice,” Barlow said. “They are very long and athletic. They get their hands on a lot of balls and obscure the passing lane very well. They really pressure the ball and take the ball out of your playmakers’ hands. It’s very hard to simulate.” Dobbs ended with 11 points and four assists, while fellow super sophomore Mylan Woods scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Senior Angela Groves registered a solid all-around game with eight points, seven rebounds and eight blocks. Alter was led by Ashley Christie who netted 20 points, 12 higher than her season average. Nicole Christie and Mary Bruner each chipped in 12 points. Alter’s leading scorer Courtney Chihil and third leading scorer Megan Waterman combined for just nine points. Said Hart: “We’re a team and on any given night a number of our kids step up. That’s one of the things that makes us difficult to prepare for and guard. Courtney has been the one through the tournament who has been in the double figures, so you can assume that it’s going to be her, but we have other kids that can score and that showed tonight.” Something else that was evident is that Alter has another hoops program to contend with.

State Semifinal Results

Kettering Alter 45, Col. Mifflin 31 This stat line won’t win a state title: 16 minutes, 15 turnovers and nine points. Columbus Mifflin found that out in the Division II state semifinals. Despite being tied 26-26 with Kettering Alter two minutes into the third quarter, the Punchers registered just five points the rest of the second half en route to a 45-31 loss. The Knights used their customary defense to stifle Mifflin (20-5) after the Punchers overcame a sluggish start to remain in contention. Down 24-22 at halftime, Mifflin tied the game with 6:35 to go. After that it was all Alter. The Knights closed the contest on a 195 run. In the second quarter the Punchers took

their only lead, 22-21, on a basket by Deasha Tally with 1:29 to go. Alter regained the edge with three free throws. The Knights held Mifflin to six points in the third and three points in the fourth quarter, respectively. Offensively Chihil led all scorers with 18 points, while Waterman chipped in 11. Mifflin, which had no scores in double-figures, was paced by Amber Arter’s eight points. Overall, the Punchers had 26 turnovers.

Hathaway Brown 68, Lima Bath 58, OT For the second straight season, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown advanced to battle for a Division II girls basketball championship. But getting there wasn’t easy. The Blazers led by as many as 16 points over Lima Bath in the first half in the state semifinal game but the Wildkittens clawed back in the second half to force overtime. Lima Bath netted just two points in the extra period and Dobbs was 8-of-8 on throw attempts to lead the Blazers past the Wildkittens 68-58. Dobbs finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds Hathaway Brown took a quick 10-0 lead in the game as the Blazers fed the ball into the post with ease to senior forward Groves. She dropped 10 of her game high 25 points in the first quarter. Groves also pulled down 12 boards in the game. The Blazers led 29-13 with six minutes left in the first half but Bath found its rythm. The Wildkittens hit four straight three-pointers in a span of three minutes in the fourth quarter and took a 49-48 lead with 4:49 left in regulation. That was Bath’s only lead of the game, tough, as HB took the lead several more times and the Wildkittens kept battling just to tie. With HB up 56-54 with 1:23 left in regulation, Bath tied the game on a Rachael Mauk layup. HB took a timeout with 42 seconds left but Groves was whistled for a foul coming out of the break turning the ball over to Bath with 31 seconds left. Coming out of a Bath timeout with 25 seconds remaining, HB’s Alanna Guy pulled down a rebound, fell hard to floor and was whistled for traveling with 2.6 second left. Bath called a timeout on the first inbounds attempt under its own basket to set a play. On the second attempt, Nicki Hopkins inbounded the ball to Stefanie Mauk but her off-balance shot fell short as the horn blew on a 56-56 tie. It was all HB in overtime. Rachel Mauk led Bath with 18 points and five rebounds with twin sister Stefanie registering a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

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Girls Basketball State Tournament Division III State Championship

Versailles Completes State’s Only Undefeated Season With Division III State Title

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“It just seemed like we had a lot of girls in the scoring column, a lot of girls rebounding the basketball and a lot of girls doing the little things that makes a state championship team.” Said Bardell: “At the beginning of the season you pray that when you lose, if you lose, you lose to a team that on that day was better than you. Today Versailles was better than we were. They just had answers to questions we didn’t have.”

State Semifinal Results

Versailles 75, South Euclid Regina 60 Both Versailles and South Euclid Regina accomplished feats at the girls basketball state tournament that neither had experienced before. Unfortunately for the latter, it’s not something the Royals wanted to record. Versailles chalked up another memorable Midwest Athletic Conference victory in state competition with a shockingly dominant 75-60 victory over Regina in a Division III semifinal. Regina (24-3) entered the contest 10-0 in state games with five state titles. The Tigers were 0-3 in state semifinals. The main catalysts for Versailles were seniors Raterman and Bohman, who tied for game-high honors with 27 points apiece. It was just the second time in state tournament history that teammates scored 27 or more points in the same game. Raterman also added a D-III semifinal record 19 rebounds and six assists. Bohman’s tally pushed her past 1,000 for her career. The duo, which exited to a chorus of

What You Need To Know

Versailles celebrates the first basketball title in school history.

Photo by Nick Falzerano

The Versailles girls basketball team played the entire season with a bulls-eye on its back. Fittingly, every team the Tigers faced left their encounter with a mark on their backside as well. The last team to wear an orange and black tread was Sugarcreek Garaway. The Pirates got roughed up to the tune of 51-33 in the Division III girls basketball state final. Versailles, which claimed its first state title in four trips to Columbus, became the sixth Midwest Athletic Conference school to win a state championship and first since 2004 (Minster). Overall, the MAC has 10 titles. Versailles also became Ohio’s lone unbeaten girls basketball team. The Tigers finished 28-0. “One word – unbelievable,” Versailles head coach Jacki Stonebraker said. “This entire season has been a dream come true. These girls have had a mark on their back all season, ever since the polls came out with the No. 1 ranking and they’ve played with pressure, played with poise and played with the determination that they weren’t going to be knocked from the No. 1 ranking. They proved today why they’re the No. 1 team in the state.” Garaway (25-3) entered the contest with some solid credentials of its own. The Pirates were making their fourth trip to state and second in three years. Defensively, no team at state was stingier than Garaway, which entered allowing a measly 23.8 points per game. Versailles was the first team to put 50 on the Pirates. And it did it in a variety of ways. After taking the first eight minutes to figure out Garaway’s defense, the Tigers attacked in the second. Down 7-6 after one, Versailles took the lead for good when Megan Campbell completed a three-point play with 5:50 to go before the half. Versailles led 19-13 at the break. “The first quarter is always a little crazy, because you have to figure out what the other team is going to do and how they are going to

play,” Versailles senior Justine Raterman said. “We found pretty quickly that we were going to have to go inside.” In the third quarter Garaway’s Laura Bardell hit a three-pointer to bring the Pirates within 19-16. After a Mallory Barga jumper extended the lead to 21-16, Versailles never lead by less than five points. After three quarters the Tigers held a 35-19 advantage. Garaway scored just six points in each the second and third quarters, while Versailles rolled up 29. “We felt like we were okay at halftime, but what they did in the second half is what a championship team needs to do,” Garaway coach Scott Bardell said. “We took away as best we could the paint and they hit us from the perimeter. The one thing they hadn’t done in the semi was shoot anything long or midrange, it had just been pound you to death in

the paint. You can’t take away everything, you have to concede something so we conceded the perimeter and they stuck it in our ear.” Versailles’ main cog was again Raterman, the 6-1 senior became the school’s all-time leading scorer when she hit a free throw with one-second left in the third quarter. Raterman ended the game with 17 points and 1,672 for her career. She also tallied 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists and hit 11-of-13 free throws. Laura Bardell led Garaway with a game-high 18 points. “Everybody stepped up,” Stonebraker said.

The title was Versailles second this school year. The Tigers also won the D-III cross country state title and made the D-III volleyball regional finals. cheers and a standing ovation with 13 seconds left, single-handedly outscored Regina until the Royals erupted for six three-pointers in the final 1:24 to cushion the score. The outcome was decided long before. Versailles led 26-22 at halftime and 42-33 after three quarters. The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run and never led by less than 12 points the rest of the way. With 1:34 to go, a Raterman three-point play pushed the advantage to 63-42. Regina’s last lead, 20-18, came with 4:06 left in the second quarter.

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Girls Basketball State Tournament Regina standout Shay Selby scored 16 points, which included two three-pointers in the final 28 seconds. The Duke recruit was hampered by an ankle injury and foul trouble for much of the game.

Division IV State Championship

Berlin Hiland Overcomes Early Deficit, Claims Third D-IV State Title In Four Years The Division IV girls state basketball championship between Berlin Hiland and Columbus Africentric was a battle of oldschool vs. new-school. And it was the old-school that prevailed as Hiland knocked off defending D-IV champ and No. 1-ranked Africentric 44-37. The 2008 championship is the fourth state title for the small Holmes County school and its third in four years. “We just want our kids to experience this, so its not about how many state championships we win but the next group and getting them to play to their potential,” said

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Hiland senior Jena Stutzman played in her fifth and sixth state game and won her third state title.

Photo by Gary Housteau

Sugarcreek Garaway 45 Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 28 Garaway girls basketball fans were sporting t-shirts at the Division III state semifinal game against Mt. Blanchard Riverdale that read, “Excellence is not an act, but a habit,” quoting the philosopher Aristotle. And the Lady Pirates were excellent in the match up pulling away from Riverdale 45-28 for their 10th straight win and a berth in the state championship game. In an up tempo, physical, back-and-forth match up, the game was a lot closer than the score might indicate. Garaway clung to a 15-14 lead at halftime and a 24-21 lead after three quarters but pulled away in the final frame outscoring Riverdale 21-7. The Lady Falcons (23-3) went just 2-for-10 from the field in the fourth quarter. Bardall paced Garaway with 18 points and eight rebounds. Hershberger added 10 points. Riverdale junior wing Kayla Brown led the Lady Falcons with 13 points but only two of those came in the second half.

McKinney said. “We were hitting some shots early on but then we just got flat.” The Lady Nubians totaled just four points in the second and third quarters combined and went into the final frame down 32-17. Senior guard and Division IV player of the year Tyeasha Moss got hot in the fourth quarter netting 10 of her team high 15 points in a last ditch effort for the Lady Nubians. But Africentric’s 20 fourth quarter points were too little too late. Hiland committed just eight turnovers after making six in the first quarter. Senior guard Jena Stutzman paced the Hawks with 14 points, including 11 in Hiland’s 24-0 run. Weaver had eight points.

Hiland head coach David Schlabach, who has led the Lady Hawks to a 370-55 record in 17 seasons and all four championships. The Lady Hawks had to earn their fourth title in come-from-behind fashion. Africentric (25-2) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the game before Hiland sophomore guard Hilary Weaver drained a three-pointer to cut the lead in half putting a temporary stop to the early bleeding. “Hilary plays with a lot of confidence,” said Schlabach. “She played some great minutes for us today. She will gladly take the big shot when she can and if she misses one she’s ready to go again.” No. 2 Hiland (27-1) got within one point on a Mykelia Mast lay-up off a fast break but Africentric went on a 9-0 run to go up 15-5 early in the second quarter. Hiland was just 2-of-8 shooting in the first quarter and committed six turnovers. “That wasn’t the ideal start we were looking for,” Schlabach said. “But we have been in that situation before and against good teams we might fall behind. The kids have been in this before. You have seniors who don’t panic and stick to the game plan.” And Hiland found its game plan for the next two quarters as the Lady Hawks went on a 24-0 scoring run as Africentric suffered a deflating 13:07 scoring drought. The Lady Nubians shot just 32 percent on 16-of-50 shooting for the game. “During that stretch, (Hiland) just started knocking down shots and we couldn’t get the ball in the basket,” Africentric head coach Will

What You Need To Know

Berlin Hiland and Columbus Africentric have met in the tournament four straight years, with the Hawks holding a 3-1 edge. Starters Kristi Yoder and Katelyn Stuckey combined for 13 points and 10 rebounds in the post for the Lady Hawks. Junior forward Asher Harris had seven points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Nubians. Africentric out-rebounded Hiland 34-30, including 14 offensive boards, but consistently failed to convert on second chance points. For Africentric, it was their second straight Division IV state final four in the school’s short five year history. This marked the fourth straight year Hiland and Africentric have met in the postseason tournament. Hiland cruised past Africentric 64-40 in the regional semifinals in 2005 on the way to a state championship. In 2006, the Lady Hawks edged the Lady Nubians 40-36 en route to back-to-back state titles. Africentric exacted its revenge last season, though, with a 52-36 win over the Lady Hawks in the regional finals before taking home the state championship. “Losing last year stunk,” Stutzman said. “It just gave us a lot of motivation. Every year our goal is to win a state championship. We just worked hard no matter who we played and we knew defense and rebounding would win us a state championship and we did that.” Said McKinney, “I love the rivalry. The Berlin Hiland-Africentric rivalry is really good for girls basketball, in particular, Division IV. Whenever you have two really good basketball teams and guaranteed excitement in the game, I think that’s fantastic for the game of girls basketball.”

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Girls Basketball State Tournament State Semifinal Results

Berlin Hiland 58, New Riegel 38 It is not how you start, but rather, how you finish. And for Hiland a strong finish erased a slow start in the Division IV basketball state semifinals resulting in a 58-38 win over New Riegel. New Riegel (22-4) scored seven straight points out of the tip and led Hiland by as much as eight in the first quarter. But Hiland junior Karli Mast turned up the heat scoring nine straight points to cut New Riegel’s lead to 12-11 just over halfway though the opening frame. New Reigel went up 18-13 with 16 seconds left in the first quarter on a Kaiti Hughes jump shot but that is where the Blue Jackets’ offensive production came to a grinding halt. Hiland went on a 14-0 run to open up the second quarter as New Riegel went on a 5:25 scoring drought finally getting a bucket on a Lauren Hutton layup with 2:51 left in the half. New Riegel had 18 turnovers in the game. Hiland took a 32-20 lead into the half and put it on cruise control in the second. New Riegel shot a dismal 6-of-23 in the second half and only 33.3 percent for the game, including 1-of-7 from three-point land. Mast led all stat-getters with 16 points while teammates Weaver (10) and Stuckey (11) were also in double digits. Junior forward Lauren Hutton had 15 points for New Riegel, including nine in the first half.

Africentric 47, Convoy Crestview 42 Despite leading at halftime and having possession of the ball down two points with less than 24 seconds to go, Crestview fell short in its bid to unseat Ohio’s No. 1 ranked D-IV squad and defending state champion Africentric. The Nubians hit enough free throws, made enough plays and grabbed just enough rebounds to secure a 47-42 win. Intensity has a funny way of keeping teams in games and that’s what it did for Crestview, a team making its third appearance at the state tournament, but first since 1985. Africentric took the lead, 26-24, on a pair of Howard free throws at the 4:36 mark of the third quarter. The Nubians, who never led by more than seven, never trailed again although they had chances to fold. Three times in the final three minutes the Knights trimmed the deficit to three or less. Howard and Moss tied for game-high honors with 14 points each, while junior Ashar Harris chipped in 11. Kelsey Nedderman led Crestview with 12 points, while Carly Lichtensteiger added 11. — OH

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Ohio High Magazine All-Tournament Team NF

Angela Groves

Justine Raterman

Jena Stutzman

Senior post had 33 points, 19 rebounds and an impressive 12 blocks, including eight in the D-II state final. She had 25 points and 12 rebounds in semifnal victory.

Senior put together stateʼs top performance with 54 points, 29 rebounds, eight assists and six steals in two games. Had DII record 19 rebounds in semifinal win.

Senior improved to 6-0 in state games. Scored 14 points in D-IV state final and had seven points, six steals, five assists and four rebounds in semis.

Hathaway Brown

Versailles

Berlin Hiland

Amber Gray

Lakota West

Tia McBride

Mount Notre Dame

Tennessee recruit and Ms. Basketball winner had 23 points and 11 rebounds in D-I state final. That effort followed 20point performance in semfiinals.

Senior post started third and fourth state games. Had 24 points and five boards in D-I state final after registering 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks in semifinals.

Emily Bohman

Alexis Rogers

Laura Bardell

Tyeasha Moss

Courtney Chihil

Senior tallied 27 points and six rebounds in semi win over Regina. Had six points, three boards and four steals in D-III final.

Junior post had double-double in D-I state final (24 points, 10 rebounds). Had 13 points and four boards in semifinals.

Senior combined for 26 points and 15 rebounds in two state games. Also added five steals in D-III state final.

Senior forward scored 15 points and had six rebounds in D-IV final after scoring 14 points in semifinals.

Senior had 18 points, four rebounds and two steals in D-II semis. Added six rebounds, five assists and two steals in final.

Versailles

Lakota West

Garaway

Africentric

Alter

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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ

acki Stonebraker’s first trip to the girls basketball state tournament yielded an air-balled free throw. Justine Raterman’s first trip to state ended in missed opportunity. This season, the sisters got even. Completing Ohio’s only undefeated girls basketball season, Versailles captured the Division III state title on March 10 with a 51-33 win over Sugarcreek Garaway at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center. Raterman, the team’s 6-1 senior centerpiece, had 44 points, 29 rebounds, eight assists and six steals in the title game and a semifinal win over vaunted South Euclid Regina. The performance capped a season in which the University of Dayton recruit was named Division III first-team All-Ohio for the second time and became Jacki Versailles career scoring leader (1,672 Stonebraker points). Stonebraker, a head coach in just her fifth season, delivered a second straight Versailles state tournament berth and the first basketball title – boys or girls – to her alma mater. The Tigers also secured the program’s first Midwest Athletic Conference championship. As a result of their heroics, Raterman and Stonebraker have been named the Ohio High Magazine/Huntington Bank Ohio Girls Basketball player and coach of the year, respectively. Before ending up at the popular Versailles establishment Sideliners the night of the state championship, there was still enough time for the duo to record one more memory. Exiting the bus, Stonebraker and Raterman descended one final time as player and coach. “I had that little twitch in my eye that this was the last time we were going to get off the bus together,” Stonebraker said. “It hit me that that was the last time she was going to put that uniform on. I knew it was probably one of the last times we’d be together in basketball.” The two will always be family.

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Big Sis

Photos by Nick Falzerano

G i r l s B a s k e t b a l l P l a y e r a n d C o a c h O f T h e Ye a r

The oldest of four Raterman siblings, Stonebraker was the first to have basketball success. All the others followed. Stonebraker was a freshman the first time Versailles made the state tournament in 1992. The trip ended in a 61-48 loss to Loudonville. “I was like a deer caught in the headlights my freshman year,” Stonebraker said. “It was a big blur. We didn’t know what to expect. I do remember that at the end of the game I had a chance to make some free throws and I air-balled the first one. We were down by 15 or something so it didn’t really matter, but it was quite embarrassing. I made the second.” By the end of her high school career, Stonebraker earned a scholarship to Bowling Green. She played forward for four years for the Falcons and earned All-Mid-American Conference honors as a junior and senior. Justine Upon graduation Stonebraker landed a job as a math teacher at Versailles and Raterman got married. Coaching came next. “In high school I knew I wanted to be a Versailles teacher, but it never crossed my mind that I’d be a head coach and coach at my alma mater,” Stonebraker said. “I just knew I wanted to be a teacher at a small school – like here or St. Henry or Marion Local – and help out as much as I could. I really liked sports and always felt like they had been important in making me the person I am today so I wanted to help out once I started teaching.” Helping out her varsity coach Tim Barga, Stonebraker started with the freshman team. She says she coached reserve one year, but that’s because “we didn’t have a freshman team and he moved the JV coach up to a varsity assistant.” When Barga resigned following the 2002-03 season, Stonebraker made a play for the head coaching gig – and got it. “I figured if I was going to do it now was the time,” Stonebraker said. “I had no idea what this job entailed.” Stonebraker’s first year the Tigers finished 5-16. She admits, though, that she never felt overwhelmed or that she was in over her head. “We were 5-16, but it didn’t feel like that,” Stonebraker said. “We may

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G i r l s B a s k e t b a l l P l a y e r a n d C o a c h O f T h e Ye a r have gotten destroyed once by Fort Loramie by like 20 or something, but we were in every game other than that. We just didn’t know how to win. I sat there trying to figure out how we were going to teach them to win and that was the only problem.” The next year Stonebraker started Raterman as a freshman and also brought fellow frosh Emily Bohman off the bench as the sixth man. Things improved rapidly. “Once Justine and Emily and the other freshmen that year came things started to change,” Stonebraker said. “They were undefeated in junior high and they knew how to win. They brought a different mind-set.” Indeed, Versailles is 83-18 since the start of the 2004-05 season.

The Youngest

The team’s leading scorer (17.7 points per game) and rebounder (9.5 rpg), Raterman also ranked near the team lead in assists and steals. She can play anywhere. “Justine was one of the shorter girls in junior high and played point guard,” Stonebraker said. “She was 5-7 in eighth grade. That really helped her ball handling skills a lot and that’s why she can face the basket and do so many things with the ball. “She still has areas to improve in. She doesn’t shoot the three real consistently, but if a post player wants to guard her she’s going to pull her out and go right around. If a smaller player wants to guard her we’ll just post her up and there’s not much you can do against that.” In the Tigers’ impressive semifinal win over Regina, Raterman played the point and was effective when Versailles needed her to be. “I think when you look at me sometimes you don’t expect a lot of great things,” Raterman said. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to prove someone wrong, especially all the critics who say you might be a step too slow or an inch too short. It’s fun to step up your game to meet a challenge.”

Raterman’s recollection of basketball begins with trips to practices and games of her older brothers and sisters. In addition to Jacki, older sister Julie was on Versailles’ 1998 state final four team and played in college at West Liberty (W.Va.) State. Older Strong Credentials brother Joe played football, basketball and baseball for the Tigers and is Both Stonebraker and Raterman solidified their resumes this winter currently an assistant coach on the girls staff. with the state championship. “(Justine) was a gym rat from Day One,” Stonebraker said. “She was For Stonebraker, the title was a cornerstone in what’s fast becoming a watching my junior high games at the age of 1.” career of note. In addition to the past two state “I can remember being in kindergarten and tournaments, Versailles was a regional finalist writing about how Jacki was at Bowling Green in 2006. and how cool that was,” Raterman said. “That “Awards are nice for individuals, but The semifinal victory over Regina also was kind of the first big impact they had on me marked the first time in 11 state games that when I was that young.” the sweetest award you can get is the Royals had not come out on top. In five Raterman’s impact on Versailles has been previous trips to state, head coach Pat Diulus enormous. A standout in both volleyball and the ring we have for being state and Regina were 10-0 with five state titles. basketball and a four-year starter in each, champions. Nothing can top that.” Many expected them to get No. 6 this season. Raterman has left her mark on Tigers lore. “I had watched (Regina) a couple times on In volleyball, she was named Division III Alltape and I was in awe,” Stonebraker said. “I Ohio three times, including first team twice, Versailles head coach was like, ‘Holy Cow, what are we going to do and recorded over 1,000 career kills. With Jacki Raterman … they can do everything.’ I told the girls just Raterman in the rotation, the Tigers went 93-16 like I told the girls last year against Anna and the last four years with three regional final Cleveland Central Catholic that we could beat (2004, 2006, 2007) appearances. Versailles this team because I felt we were the better team. Were we going to have was a regional semifinalist in 2005. to have a pretty good night? Yeah, but I still believe we were a better “Now I can definitely say that basketball is my true love,” Raterman team than Cleveland Central Catholic or Regina was. said. “It is the first sport I played. I really loved volleyball too and it came “You have to play defense. That’s the key and our defense was strong. easier to me. I was really a natural at it.” We made them work for every shot. (Duke recruit) Shay (Selby) had to Raterman had visions of trying to play both sports in college but refowork for everything she got. And our offense was on. It was just on. My cused on one heading into last winter. She chose hoops. assistant told me that if we were within 10 points at halftime that was a “I sat down and thought about it hard,” Raterman said. “I finally knew I good night for us. We were up by four.” was only going to play one and I basically realized I couldn’t imagine Had a spectator who didn’t know already been asked after the Reginagoing to college for four years and not playing basketball. Although volVersailles game which player was a Duke recruit, many would have likely leyball is a part of my life, basketball is a part of my family’s life. It’s answered “Raterman” instead of Regina’s Selby. That’s not a knock on always been there.” the Royals senior, regarded by many as one of the top players in the Family is what led Raterman to Dayton. Despite receiving feelers from country; it’s a testament to the performance Raterman recorded. higher-profile programs, Raterman choose to stay close to home and It also led one media member along press row to utter the challenge of play for the Flyers. Her impact should be immediate. “The people I’m going to be surrounded by the next four years are sec- “finding five better girls basketball players in the state than Raterman.” That’s a challenge the Associated Press unknowingly accepted by not ond to none and I’m excited about that,” Raterman said. “UD was the having Raterman among the finalists for the agency’s prestigious Ms. school that recruited me first and they were always there. The one thing I Basketball award. liked about coach (Jim) Jabir compared to the other coaches was that Raterman was unfazed – unlike the Tigers competition. everyone else tried to sell me their program and Coach Jabir sold me to “I wasn’t worried about (Ms. Basketball) at all,” Raterman said. “I was myself. He made me believe in myself and in how much he thinks I can only worried about the state championship and that’s what I got. I’m not improve. It was different to look my growth individually.” sure those other five girls can say that. I have a state championship and “Family is huge for her,” Stonebraker said. “She had looks at bigger that’s what’s important to me.” schools but she never had that offer. She never had that Ohio State or Said Stonebraker: “Awards are nice for individuals, but the sweetest that Notre Dame that committed to her. I think she just felt more at home award you can get is the ring we have for being state champions. at UD.” “Nothing can top that.” — OH As a basketball player, Raterman’s versatility is her biggest strength.

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State Wrestling Tournament

STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ Lakewood St. Edward junior Collin Palmer won his third state title and helped the Eagles win their 12th straight state title.

W Photos by Nick Falzerano

JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h io H i g h

hen Steve Goudy took over the fledgling Troy Christian wrestling program seven years ago, the coach joked that he had “six kids on the team and two wrestlers.” After the 71st annual State Wrestling Championships on March 1, the Eagles now have two state titles. Everyone expected Lakewood St. Edward and St. Paris Graham to repeat as state wrestling champions, but there were questions about Troy Christian’s ability to defend its small-school title. The Eagles answered all comers. Putting together an impressive 4-1 record in finals and placing all eight qualifiers, Troy Christian defended its Division III team title and became the 22nd school in history to win multiple crowns. The Eagles, who broke their D-III record of 154 points set last year, scored 162 this time around to fend off challenges from old foe Marion Pleasant (123) and upstart Monroeville (115).

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State Wrestling Tournament Last year, the Eagles had three individual champions and edged Pleasant by just 21/2 points. This year, it was not nearly as close. “Breaking the team point total was one of our goals,” Goudy said. “We talk about bonus points all the time, especially in the early rounds and we were able to score some. We were blessed with a good draw and we had to take advantage of that early and we did. We were able to get pins and techs. When (Pleasant) brings 11 and you bring eight you have to make it up somewhere.” Winning titles for the Eagles were senior Ben Sergent (125), junior Zac Hancock (130), junior Zach Toal (145) and senior Nathan Jones (189). Junior Jordan Thome was the runner-up at 135. Sergent, the 112 champion last year, trailed Sandusky St. Marys senior Troy Opfer 1-0 with less then 10 seconds to go before pulling out a pin with seven ticks left. Toal’s title was also his second after winning at 140 last year. Troy Christian has only had a wrestling program for eight years, and Goudy, who came from Milton-Union, has been in charge for all but one. He’s built a program that doesn’t show signs of slowing down. The Eagles lose two seniors – Sergent

and Jones – but have a solid nucleus back. Rest assured all eyes will be on a threepeat. “The kids put a lot of stock in that Brakeman Report and he does a great job, but he had us second last year and the kids wanted to prove him wrong and they did,” Goudy said. “And he had us second this year and the kids wanted to prove him wrong and they did. So I told Brian ‘Thank you for making us second.’ I told him to put Monroeville first next year.”

Falcons Soar (Again)

Graham came to Columbus looking for its eighth straight Division II state title and some state records. The Falcons accomplished both. In addition to winning its 10th title overall and moving into a second place tie with Maple Heights for the most ever regardless of division, the Falcons also broke their own D-II points record with 2211/2. The old standard of 208-1/2 lasted just one year. Graham entered the finals with 202 points and six wrestlers vying for first place. Four Falcons captured crowns as Graham outdistanced second place Oak Harbor by 140-1/2 points. Two Falcons won their third titles with junior David Taylor taking the 112-pound cham-

pionship and senior Ben Jordan winning at 145. The victory for Taylor improved him to 460 this year and 132-2 in three years. Last year, Taylor outscored his state opponents 68-6 en route to the title. This year he pinned two opponents (1:15 and 2:31) and outscored the other two 33-3, including a 15-0 tech fall in the second period of the final. Jordan also won state titles as a freshman (119 pounds) and sophomore (125) and was runner-up last year (135). Other champions for Graham included junior Zach Neibert (119) and sophomore Tucker Armstrong (125). Senior Coby Boyd (152) and junior Adam Walls (285) were runners-up. Neibert’s title came via a second-period pin of Cody Garbrandt of Urichsville Claymont. Garbrandt won the 112 state title last year.

Energizer Eagles

Just like the Energizer Rabbit, the St. Edward wrestling squad keeps on going, and going and going. The Eagles claimed their 12th straight Division I title and 24th overall. Both are state records. St. Ed tallied 147-1/2 points to runner-up Massillon Perry’s 90.

In d i v i d u a l 103

112

Gus Sako

Jamie Clark

St. Edward 145

St. Edward

152

125

Garrett Henry

Jesse Dong

Westerville North

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Tommy Pretty

Solon

160

130

Elder

171

Chris Kline

Westerville North

135

Seth Horner

Brian Roddy St. Edward

Collin Palmer

Massillon Perry 189

140

St. Edward

215

Matt Alexander Findlay

Richie Spicel Brunswick

285

Orlando Scales Elder

Josh Kline Mason

Photos by Nick Falzerano

Tony Jameson

Austintown Fitch

Champions

119

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State Wrestling Tournament At 171 pounds, senior Brian Roddy became a rare four-time state placer at the same weight and defended his title with a 21-6 tech fall of Amherst Steele’s Aaron Winemiller. Junior Collin Palmer also defended his title and won his third championship with a 5-0 decision over Mansfield Madison’s Josh Speelman at 135. Palmer finished the season 30-0. Other victors for the Eagles were sophomores Gus Sako (103 pounds) and Jamie Clark (112). Clark’s 2-1 overtime win over Massillon Perry’s Sam White in the final was especially gratifying considering Clark lost the 103 final last year to White 3-2 in overtime. Clark was awarded the win after White was called for stalling in the extra stanza.

STATE MEET NOTABLES Another Four-Time Winner

Austintown-Fitch senior Tony Jameson added his name to a short list of four-time state winners, becoming just the 16th with a hard fought 8-4 win over New Carlisle Tecumseh’s T.J. Rigel in the Division I 145 finale. Jameson trailed 4-2 entering the third period. Jameson is only the fourth wrestler to win four titles in D-I and his championships span eight weight classes, which is the most of

any four-time champ (103, 119, 135 and 145). Jameson’s final high school record is 168-6. Jameson, who is going to Ohio State, received a standing ovation after his win and ran around the mat with an OSU flag held overhead, much to the delight of the crowd. Jameson also received an ovation after the medal ceremony. In the 1990s, only three wrestlers won four titles. So far this decade, seven wrestlers have done it. Next year, Graham’s Taylor and St. Ed’s Palmer will try to become the 17th and 18th to accomplish the feat.

Double Duty

The Westerville North duo of Jesse Dong and Chris Kline captured their school’s first state titles in history with back-to-back wins in the D-I 152 and 160 title bouts, respectively. Dong finished 40-1, while Kline went unbeaten at 43-0.

Three-Time Champs

In addition to Taylor, Jordan and Palmer, two other wrestlers captured their third state titles. Oak Harbor’s Cody Magrum won the D-II 189 title to go along with past titles at 171. Magrum, trailed Pemberville Eastwood’s

Jeremy Foster 2-1 heading into the third period, but rallied for the 4-3 victory. Miami East’s Ryan Gambill also added title No. 3 with a pin of TC’s Thome in the 135 finale. Gambill, the only wrestler in East history with a state title, won his previous championships at 112 and 130. Daniel Kolodzik, the only wrestler on the Miami Valley School team, failed in his attempt to add a third title, falling to TC’s Hancock in the D-III 130 final. Kolodzik previously claimed crowns at 103 and 125. There have now been 49 three-time winners in state history. Brunswick senior Richie Spicel capped his career the same way he started it – with a state title. Spicel won the D-I 140 crown after claiming the 130 championship as a frosh. Spicel was also a state runner-up last year, suffering his only loss to Jameson in the state final at 135. Spicel finished this season 43-0. Spicel’s title didn’t come easy though. He had to rally for a 4-2 win in overtime against Brecksville Broadview Heights junior Kyle Lang.

In d i v i d u a l 103

112

Ty Mitch 145

Graham

160

Kirk Tank

Oak Harbor

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130

Tucker Armstrong Graham

171

Eric Cubberly Eastwood

135

Harrison Hightower University School

189

Keith Witt

Oak Harbor

140

Chase Skonieczny Walsh Jesuit

215

Cody Magrum Oak Harbor

Dawson Riedy Bellevue

285

Matt Fisher

Sandusky Perkins

Tyler Hawkins West Holmes

J J H U D D L E . C O M 47

Photos by Nick Falzerano

Ben Jordan

125

Zach Neibert

Graham

152

Tough Ending West Chester Lakota West senior Ryan

C h am p i o n s

119

David Taylor

Aurora

Bookends

State Wrestling Tournament Fields finished runner-up the last three years and was trying not to become the first wrestler in state history to finish second four years in a row. He accomplished that feat but not the way he wanted to. Fields dropped his semifinal match at 130 and then fell in the third-place bout in overtime to place fourth.

Remember The Name

It was a weekend of firsts for Worthington Christian senior Colin Heasley. Wrestling at 160 in D-III, Heasley became the first WC wrestler to make the state semifinals where he upset defending state champ Steve Wilson of Marion Pleasant to become the first wrestler in program history to make a state final. There he beat Delta’s Derrick Yant 3-1 to become the school’s first state champ. Heading into state, Heasley was 0-9 against Wilson and Yant combined. He also finished fourth at the Heath district.

champion at 103 last year, captured the 119 title and finished the season 51-0. His freshman brother Hunter also finished 51-0 after claiming the 103 crown. Two other freshman captured titles with Chris Phillips winning at 171 and Cam Tessari winning at 112. Phillips, who pinned his first round opponent (2:44) and beat the next three by the combined score of 56-16, ended the season 51-0 as well.

Moore Is Good

Marion Pleasant senior Jedd Moore defended his D-III 152 title with a 9-2 win over Sandusky St. Marys senior Christian Ortolani. Moore’s victory helped salvage what was a disappointing run for the Spartans at state. Despite visions of challenging Troy Christian for the team title and leading the team race 75-70 after two sessions, the Spartans went 1-5 in semifinal bouts.

Four For Four

Monoreville’s spectacular line-up of underclassmen did not disappoint. Qualifying all four wrestlers to the D-III finals, the Eagles finished third in the team race thanks to going 4-0 in finals. Sophomore Logan Stieber, the state

Ending The Drought

Greenwich South Central sophomore Payton Oney became his school’s first state placer with a sixth place finish in D-III at 125. In addition to Oney, other wrestlers ended notable droughts for their schools as well. Defiance sophomore B. J. Miller became

the first wrestler from his school to place at the state meet since 1997 when he finished eighth in the D-II 112 bracket. Norwood junior Tyler Alsip finished eighth in the D-II 119 bracket to become his school’s first state placer since 1986. Athens junior Steven McLaughlin placed sixth at 145 in D-II to become his school’s first state placer since 1997. Spencerville senior Zac Clum became his school’s highest placer ever when he finished sixth in D-III at 135. West Carrollton junior Jordan Beverly placed third in D-I at 285 to become his school’s first state placer since 1995. Toledo Libbey senior James Reynolds finished eighth in D-II at 285 to secure the school’s first spot on the podium since 1988. Wilmington senior Chris Holcomb was the Hurricane’s first state placer since 1996. He finished sixth in D-II at 285. Despite facing undefeated Coshocton senior Sean Collin in the D-II 130 final, University School sophomore Harrison Hightower – who entered with eight losses – claimed the win with a 7-2 decision.

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112

Hunter Stieber 145

Monroeville

152

125

Logan Stieber Monroeville

160

Jedd Moore

Marion Pleasant

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For the second year in a row, a wrestler

Colin Heasley

Worthington Christian

130

Ben Sergent

Troy Christian 171

135

Zac Hancock

Chris Phillips Monroeville

Ryan Gambill

Troy Christian 189

Nathan Jones

Troy Christian

140

Miam i East

215

Robert Pajestka

Cuyahoga Heights 285

Travis Porter

Burton Berkshire

Don Stocum Kirtland

Photos by Nick Falzerano

Zach Toal

Troy Christian

Bellevue Believers

C h am p i o n s

119

Cam Tessari

Monroeville

Eight Is Enough

JJ H u ddle ’s O h io Hi gh

State Wrestling Tournament from Bellevue defeated a defending state champion in the finals. Last year, Jeffrey Pelton handed Graham’s Jordan a loss in the D-II 135 final. This year, it was senior Dawson Riedy beating Parma Heights Holy Name senior Aaron Sulzer 3-0 in the 140 finale. Sulzer won the 130 title last year.

Payback

Oak Harbor senior Kirk Tank got some revenge on Graham’s Coby Boyd in the D-II 152 final. Last year, Boyd pinned Tank in 3:27 in the 145 state final. This year, it was Tank who scored the win with a dramatic 3-1 decision in overtime. The win was also Tank’s 50th this season against four losses.

Two-Timer

Pemberville Eastwood senior Eric Cubberly captured his second straight state title with a convincing 18-3 tech fall over Lisbon Beaver’s Jon Bittinger to win at 160 in D-II. Cubberly, who finished the season 50-1, won the 152 championship last year.

Perfect Season

Burton Berkshire senior Travis Porter entered the state tournament with an undefeated record and exited the same way.

Handling Wooster Triway’s Cory Aiken 10-2 in the D-III 215 final, Porter finished the season 42-0.

Battle Of Unbeatens

In the only state final meeting of two undefeated wrestlers, Barberton’s Adam Cogar and Cincinnati Elder’s Orlando Scales both entered the D-I 215 finale with identical 47-0 records. Scales picked up win No. 48. After a scoreless first period, Scales took a 3-2 lead late into the third and escaped a Cogar takedown bid to hold on for the win.

Outstanding Wrestler Awards

The Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association handed out hardware to the most outstanding wrestlers in each division. Jameson won the honor in D-I, while Jordan and Gambill took home the award in D-II and III, respectively.

Attendance Figures

According to the OHSAA, the attendance for the finals was 14,924 and the reported five session total of 65,835 is the lowest since the championships moved to Value City Arena from Wright State’s Nutter Center in 1999. Last year’s figures were 15,685 and 69,746, respectively. — OH

Photos by Nick Falzerano

JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

Photo by Brian Cook

Hillsboro’s Carter Completes Dream Season, Journey Hillsboro senior Dustin Carter achieved his dream and completed an unlikely journey by qualifying for the Division II state meet. Carter, born with the rare blood disease known as meningococcemia, which is from the same bacteria that causes a severe form of meningitis, lost both arms and legs to amputation at age 5. Despite his handicap, Carter showed he was anything but. Able to get around with the help of prosthetic legs, Carter sheds those and the competition when he gets on a wrestling mat. This season, Carter went 40-2 and earned a berth in the D-II 103 championship bracket by finishing runner-up at the Goshen district. Carter won the Chillicothe sectional. At state, Carter won his first round match 2-1 in overtime over Cambridge’s Andrew Bertubin. He lost his next two matches and was eliminated. Carter was introduced to the crowd once more prior to the championship semifinals on Feb. 29 as his story was retold on the video screen at Ohio State’s Value City Arena. Carter received the largest cheers of the weekend and a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Carter’s story made national news and was told on the Today Show as well as broadcast on other news outlets. His picture recently appeared in Sports Illustrated. -- Ohio High Staff

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W r e s t l e r O f T h e Ye a r

Austintown Fitch senior Tony Jameson became just the 16th wrestler in state history to win four individual state titles.

Photo by Nick Falzerano

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STORY BY GARY HOUSTEAU

t might not have been pretty, but that’s pretty much his wrestling style. After surviving somewhat of a controversial first-round match at the state wrestling tournament at Ohio State’s Value City Arena, Tony Jameson of Austintown Fitch High School went on to advance to the final round at 145 pounds and win his fourth state title in four different weight classifications. “I had a bad tournament, a horrible tournament, but I still came through and I did what I had to do and I did it with my style even,” Jameson said. “Just to come back and win like that, for me, was awesome.” And with the championship match victory over T.J. Rigel, a junior from Tecumseh High School, Jameson became just the 16th wrestler to ever accomplish such a feat in the state of Ohio and only the third one to ever do it at the Division I level. Accordingly, Jameson was named as the Huntington Bank/Ohio High Wrestler of the Year. “It was sweet but then again it was humbling I guess you can say to think just like that, it can be over and just like that, my run could end,” Jameson said. “So it felt good. Especially because on Friday night you weren’t expecting that match, but it happened and I adjusted and I came out a winner like I should be and like I’ve been practicing to be all year.” A chorus of boos rained down on Jameson from the crowd at the Value Center Arena. They thought the future Buckeye might have been pinned in his opening match of the tournament. “People are going to think what they think and they’re always going to want the underdog to win but I wasn’t pinned and everyone thought I was pinned,” Jameson said. “And that’s fine. They can think what they want. He had me on my back and he did what he had to do and I think that if I had a ref that hated me, he might have even called me pinned. But I came through and did what I had to do.” Despite the way it might have looked, Jameson never felt he was in danger of losing the match but he was concerned. “I wasn’t worried about me being pinned, but I was worried about a bad ref that might want the underdog to win,” he said. “That’s the only thing I was worried about.” Jameson, after all, has never been pinned in his competitive wrestling career and, although it might not have looked like it, he felt that he was still in control during the very time that he may have indeed been in the most danger during that match. “I know in that situation, I’m not ever on my back in practice, there’s just something inside of me that says ‘You’re not going to pin me,’ ” said Jameson, who claimed the last time he can even can remember

JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

W r e s t l e r O f T h e Ye a r

being pinned was when he was 5 years old. “I don’t care if you’re 500 pounds or 1,000 pounds. It doesn’t matter. You’re not going to pin me.” There were as many as three close calls during that first-round match but Rudy Hendon of Bowling Green High School wasn’t able to earn the pin and lost a 23-20 decision. “The referee that did the match was very solid and very fair,” said Brett Powell, the 23-year Fitch head coach who was inducted into the OHSAA High School Wrestling Hall Of Fame this year. “Unless you were down there and you saw the boy’s arm position underneath his shoulder, he wasn’t pinned, he couldn’t be pinned and that was the amazement of the officials and myself. The guy that was wrestling him was the guy that kept him from really getting pinned. He probably could have been pinned but I know Tony and if that would have happened, that would have left a gap for something else for him to counter. Tony “Tony wrestles in very dangerous Jameson waters. He likes that challenge, he likes being on the edge and he puts Austintown people on the edge of their seats when Fitch he wrestles. But he was fine there. The coaches on the other side knew what was going on. There was a mat judge right there that had the ability to call the pin just as well as the official on the match and nobody ever thought that he was close to even being pinned.” And after surviving that close call with Hendon, Jameson came back and eventually redeemed himself with a victory in that final match against Rigel to win it all. “The whole final match was surreal because I was on my game,” said Jameson as he described what it was like for him to be in that proverbial zone against Rigel. “It just feels like I can lay on my back and still win. It almost feels like that. That’s why, when he was ahead in the third period, I was calm, I was fine. I just felt like I knew I was going to win no matter what he did and no matter what happened. I don’t want to sound cocky but that just was my mind-set, how I felt.” And when the championship match was over and Jameson earned the decision, he experienced an almost overwhelming feeling of relief. In his four-year high school grappling career, Jameson won titles at the 103-, 119-, 135- and finally the 145-pound classifications. “There was just a tremendous weight off of my mind and shoulders,” he said. “That’s the best way I can explain it. It was more of a

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thought in the back of my head there is no way you can be a four-timer. There’s no way. But at the end of the day you still got to chase your dream. You still got to go after what you want to get out of it.” And now Jameson’s place is forever cemented in the annals of Ohio high school wrestling. Just like those 15 others who accomplished the same thing before him. “I would have lost a lot of sleep over not being a four-timer, but do I think that’s all there is to wrestling? No. There’s always the next level,” Jameson said. “But I definitely think it’s great. No matter what, no one can take it from me. For the rest of my life I’m going to be a four-time state champion. That’s how it’s always going to be.” But as he said, there is always the next level. Winning four state titles is not the be all and end all for Jameson at this stage in his wrestling career. “Look at J Jaggers. He was a fourtime state champ (St. Peter/Chanel) and I think he’s the best wrestler in the world,” said Jameson, referring to the current 141-pound NCAA champion and future OSU teammate. “But it took him until his junior year to win an NCAA title. So there’s always the next level of greatness you can achieve and he experienced that this year.” Jaggers and Mike Pucillo (Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit), the NCAA champion at 184 pounds, are wrestlers that Jameson hopes to emulate when he joins them at Ohio State. “Pucillo is a role model just because he won a national title and he’s a very tough kid,” Jameson said. “I don’t know him quite as personally as I do Jaggers but he’s still a great kid and I like him. But Jaggers is just a bigger role model just because of how he wrestles. He’s kind of similar to me and came up the same way. He gets a lot of rap about how he wrestles, but he still succeeds kind of like I do. So that’s a significant thing there.” Winning a team national title is first and foremost on the mind of Jameson as he prepares for his next career as a Buckeye. “I’m happy that I committed before they took second (nationally) because I was already on the wagon whether they were taking 20th or 100th this year,” he said. “With them taking second, it’s saying ‘Yeah we can do it now.’ Well, I knew we could do it before I committed. I knew we could do it, win a national title, they explained that to me and they told me that. I knew the kids on the team, I knew who I would be working out with every day, I knew the coaches and I knew (OSU head coach) Tommy Ryan before I knew everyone else.” When it came right down to it, it was an easy decision for Jameson to opt for Ohio State. “With stuff like that and the fact that it was in my back yard made it real easy,” Jameson said. “I couldn’t be happier about it.” The oldest of seven boys whose father worked hard just to provide the basic necessities for the family as he was growing up, Jameson knows what he wants out of Ohio State and he plans on going for it full throttle. Photo by Gary Housteau

physical feeling than anything. I could just feel it physically, the weight actually coming off of my shoulders.” And that was followed by an extreme sense of pride. Jameson accomplished something that only a select few prep wrestlers in Ohio have ever done before him. “I was very proud of myself,” he said. “No matter how I wrestled that week I was a four-time state champion. When I look at some of the other names that are on that list, it’s amazing to be a part of that group.” With the victory in the final match secured, Jameson knew that his high school career was all but over and, for all intents and purposes, he was a Buckeye. He’ll officially be a freshman member of the Ohio State wrestling team in the fall. And since Jameson had a captive audience he wanted everyone there to know that he was proud that he was going to be a Buckeye. “At the beginning of the tournaJameson will continue his ment, I wasn’t really liked too much,” wrestling and academic Jameson said. “I guess you could careers at Ohio State. say that was because of what happened.” But Jameson credited Powell for coming up with what he thought was a brilliant idea. “My biggest concern, and I think he knew it, was how was I going to leave that arena and what was everyone going to think,” Jameson said. “So he got this bright idea to get out the OSU flag and walk around with it. And if they don’t like that then at least I’m supporting my college you know.” The response from the crowd when he did just that was something he won’t soon forget. “When I heard how everyone reacted to that, I never really understood the word breathtaking until that happened, honestly,” Jameson said. “I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to cry and I couldn’t cry. There was too much emotion at once. I didn’t know what to do.” Jameson finished 16-0 in his career at the state tournament with every one one of those wins coming at the Schott. The fact that such a fairy-tale career came to an end where it did only made it even more special. “It can only make it so much more special than it already was,” he said. “(Winning it there) made it feel really good and it felt awesome to know that all of my future (Ohio State) teammates were there supporting me as well. But when you win your fourth state title there’s only so much more you can do to make it that much better.” Finding himself in the arms of his head coach was as spontaneous as some of the moves he comes up with during one of his matches. “That just happened,” Jameson said. “I didn’t plan that. Just the way that (the flag) was his idea and the crowd loved me for that and for all the stuff that we’ve been through together … that definitely wasn’t planned and I think it made it even better.” Jameson couldn’t have written a better script for the way his stellar high school wrestling career came to a conclusion. “I think it’s every wrestler’s dream and every wrestler’s passion but I never imagined it happening this way,” he said. “Every day, I think, I

JJ H u ddle ’s O h io Hi gh

W r e s t l e r O f T h e Ye a r “What I want is a college degree,” Jameson said. “If I don’t win a match in college, I hope that doesn’t happen but so be it, at least I won’t be a knucklehead without a job. I don’t mean this to be disrespectful but my dad had me when he was 18 and he couldn’t be a kid, he didn’t have this opportunity. And for me to have this opportunity and not maybe do better than him but succeed further than him would be a wasted opportunity. Like I said, if I don’t win a match, I still have a life and I still have my degree. I can start my family the way I want it to be. Maybe not go do the same things he did or make the same mistakes.” And if he just happens to win an individual wrestling championship along the way, then so be it. “You train to be a wrestler, you don’t train to be a champion,” Jameson said. “Everyone trains. You train for track, you train for football and you train for wrestling. But training for wrestling is different than everything else. But when you want to be the best you have to push yourself to the next limit. What you have to do to win is disgusting. “It’s not bad, it’s just the time and the energy and the focus and the preparation and the heart and the sweat and all of that that you have to put in to be number one is amazing. That’s why it’s the best sport. Win or lose, it’s still the best sport.” And Jameson intends to win a lot, eventually, at Ohio State. But at 141 pounds Jameson might have to redshirt a year before he even has an opportunity to wrestle for the Buckeyes. “Jaggers is going to be a senior next year so after next year he’s gone,” Jameson said. “And Jaggers is going to be my workout partner so what a better way for two kids that wrestle almost exactly alike to win it back-toback-to-back.” He’s definitely excited about his grappling future. He only lost five

JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

matches in four years at the high school level. “I get excited but then again I don’t know what to do about it,” Jameson said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I prepare for the best but you have to keep that open mind in case maybe I’m not going to be the best as soon as I step on the mat in college or maybe I’m not going to win every single match in college or maybe I might get my butt whipped until I graduate. You just have to keep all of that in mind.” He’s confident about his wrestling career at Ohio State and yet apprehensive at the same time. “There are kids like Jaggers, a four-time state champion that smoked everyone (in high school) but it took him until his junior year to win a national title,” Jameson said. “But I’ve prepared myself for how it’s going to be and I’m ready to take it to the next level trainingwise. So we’ll see what happens.” But no matter how his career shakes out at the next level, Jameson is all set to be a Buckeye now. “That’s the most special thing because in 100 years I’ll still be a Buckeye and no one can take that away from me,” Jameson said. “Once you’re a Buckeye, you’re always a Buckeye.” And once you’re a Falcon you’re always a Falcon. Jameson put the already proud Fitch wrestling program under Powell on the map. To say it was a privilege for Powell to coach him is a glaring understatement. “Guys like Tony Jameson are like comets,” Powell said. “You’re very lucky to see a comet in your lifetime that will shine as bright as this kid shined for Austintown, the state of Ohio and now for the Buckeyes. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime wrestler and you’re pretty damn lucky to get to sit in the corner for him. I just love the kid.” And there’s a really good chance Ohio State wrestling fans are going to fall in love with Jameson, too. — OH

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Three Schools Tied Atop 2007-08 Ohio High Cup Standings

Ohio High Cup Update

Defending champion Kettering Alter tied with Centerville and Lakewood St. Edward after winter season

or the fifth year in a row, Ohio High will present the Ohio High Cup to the school that scores the most points in Ohio High School Athletic Association-sanctioned state championship events. This competition is patterned after the Directors’ Cup standings for colleges and universities. In the Ohio High Cup competition, schools accumulate points by finishing in the top four at OHSAA-sanctioned state team championships. Schools that win a state title are awarded five points. Runner-up teams receive three points, third-place teams get two points and fourth-place teams get one point. In sports where state semifinal teams tie for third, they each receive 1-1/2 points. In this issue, we tabulate the standings for the 2007-08 school year after the winter sports season. That season saw points awarded for finishes in boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls swimming, gymnastics, hockey and wrestling. At the end of the fall season, Maria Stein Marion Local led the competition with 10 points. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit was in second at 9-1/2. Defending Ohio High Cup champion Kettering Alter was tied for third with eight points, sharing that spot in the standings with Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. But, while Marion Local stood pat and did not gain any more Ohio High Cup points in the winter season, seven schools moved in front of the fall season leader with three of them now tied for the top spot. The biggest gainer was Lakewood St. Edward. St. Ed was shut out in the fall but gained 13 points in the winter behind state titles in wrestling and hockey and a runnerup finish in boys basketball. Likewise, Centerville enjoyed a 10-point jump to tie St. Ed for the top spot with 13. Centerville won a state title in girls bowling, finished second in boys bowling and was third in girls swimming. Kettering Alter moved into position to defend the Ohio High Cup by going from eight to 13 points with a state title in girls basketball. Cincinnati St. Xavier vaulted from six points to 12 and sits alone in fourth place. Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown and Sugarcreek Garaway are all tied for fifth at 11. Last year, Kettering Alter grabbed a commanding lead in the fall with three state runnerup team performances and a state championship in Division II volleyball. The Dayton-area school added one more point in the spring with a fourth-place finish in Division II girls track to end up with 15 points to win the 2006-07 Ohio High Cup competition. Versailles captured the first Ohio High Cup in 2003-04. In 2004-05, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit claimed the cup. In 2005-06, Cincinnati St. Xavier won the Ohio High Cup competition. — OH

54 J J H U D D L E . C O M

STORY BY STEVE HELWAGEN

Ohio High Cup Standings S c h o o l s t h at h a v e e a r n e d a t l e a s t 4 p o i n t s

1 3 - - C e nt e rvil l e (D -I b oys cro ss coun tr y r unne r- up , b oy s bo wl ing r unne r- up , g irl s b owl ing cham p ion s, D- I g irl s s wim m in g t hird) , L a kew ood St . Edw ard ( D - I b o y s b a s k e t b al l r u n n e r - u p , h o c k e y c h a m p i o n s , D - I w r e s t l i n g c h a m p i o n s ) , K e tt e r i n g A l te r ( D - I I b o y s s o c c e r r u n n e r - u p , D - I I g i r l s c r o s s c o u n tr y c h a m p i ons , D- II g irl s b as ke tb a l l cha mp ion s) . 1 2 - - C incin na ti St . Xa vie r (D -I f oot b al l cha m p ions , D-I b oys g ol f f ou rt h, D- I b oys b a ske t ba l l se m if ina l ist , hocke y s e m if inal is t, b oy s s wim m in g runn e r-up ) . 1 1 - - B r e c k s v i ll e - B r o a d v i e w H e i g h t s ( D - I g i r l s c r o s s c o u n t r y c h a m p i o n s , D - I b oys cro ss coun tr y f our t h, gy m nas t ics cham p ion s) , S ha ker H e ig ht s H a t ha wa y B row n ( D- II g irl s so ccer cha m p ions , f ie l d ho ckey se m if ina l ist , D- II g irl s b as ke t ba l l run ne r-up , D -II g ir ls s wim m ing t hir d), S ug ar cre e k G ar aw a y ( D-I II b o y s g o l f c h a m p i o n s , D - I I I b o y s b a s k e t b a ll r u n n e r - u p , D - I I I g i r ls b a s k e t b a l l r u n n e r - u p) . 1 0 - - M a r i a S t e i n M a r i o n L o c a l ( D - V f o o t b a l l c h a m pi o n s , D - I V v o l l e y b a l l c h a m p i o n s ) , V e r s a i l l e s ( D - I I I c r o s s c o u n tr y c h a m p i o n s , D - I I I g i r l s b a s k e t b a l l c h a m p i o n s ). 9 - 1 / 2 - - C u y a h o g a F a l ls W a l s h J e s u i t ( D - I g i r l s s o c c e r s e m i f i n a li s t , D - I I b o y s c r o s s c o u n t r y r u n n e r - u p , g i r ls g o l f c h a m p i o n s ) . 9 -- C uya hog a Fa l ls C uy ah og a Va l le y C hris tia n Acade m y (D -I I bo ys socce r c h a m p i o n s , D - I I g i r l s c r o s s c o u n t r y r u n n e r - u p , D - I I w r e s t l i n g f o u r th ) . 8 - 1 / 2 - - R o c k y R i v e r M a g n i f i c a t ( D - I v o l le y b a l l s e m i f i n a li s t , D - I g i r l s c r o s s coun tr y ru nne r- up , g ir ls g ol f f ou rt h, g ym na st ics runn er -up ) . 8 - - C i n c i n n a t i M o u n t N o tr e D a m e ( D - I v o l l e y b a l l r u n n e r - u p , D - I g i r l s b a s ke t ba l l cha m pio ns) , Ga t e s M il l s H a wke n (D -I II b oys s occe r r unne r- up , D-I I g i r l s sw i m m i n g c h a m p i o n s ) . 7 -1 / 2 - - G a te s M il ls G il m our Acade m y (D -I II vol l e yb al l s e mif ina l ist , D- II I g irl s cros s count ry run ne r-up , ho cke y run ne r-u p) . 7 – C ol um b us S t. C ha rl e s ( D- I bo ys g ol f t hird, b oys s wim m ing ch am p ions ), H unt ing V a ll e y Un ive rsit y Scho ol (D -I I bo ys g ol f cha mp io ns, b oys s wim m ing t hi rd ) . 6 - 1 / 2 - - C o l d w a t e r ( D - I V f o o t b a ll c h a m p i o n s , b o y s b o w l i n g s e m i f i n a li s t ) , N ew a rk C a t hol ic (D -V I f oot b al l cha m p ions , D -I V vol l e yb al l s em if ina l ist ), Sp r ing f iel d C a t hol ic C e nt ra l (D -V I f oot b al l se m if ina l ist , D- II I bo ys socce r cha m p ions ), St . Pa ris G ra ham (D -I I b oy s ba s ket b a ll s e m ifin al is t, D -I I w re st l ing cha m p ions ), To le do C e nt ral Ca t hol ic ( D- II vol l e yb al l cha m p ions , D I g irl s ba s ket b a ll s e m if inal is t) . 6 – U p pe r Arl ing t on (D -I g irl s sw im min g cha m p ions, b oy s s wim m ing f ourt h) . 5 – B e rl in H il and (D -I V g irl s ba s ket b a ll ch am p ions ), C hil l icot he (D -I I bo ys b as ke t ba l l cha m pio ns) , Cin cinna ti Ande rs on (D- II f oo tb a l l cham p ion s) , C incinna t i M ot he r of M e rcy ( D- I vol le yb a l l cha mp ion s) , C in cinna ti St . Ur sul a Aca de m y ( D-I g ir ls s occe r cha m p ions ), D ub lin Je rom e ( D- I bo ys g ol f cha m pions ), H il lia rd Da vids on (D- I b oys so ccer cha m p ions ), Lim a C e nt ra l C at ho lic ( D - I I I v o ll e y b a ll c h a m p i o n s ) , L o u i s v i l le S t . T h o m a s A q u i n a s ( D - I I I b o y s c r o s s c o u n tr y c h a m p i o n s ) , M a s s i l l o n J a c k s o n ( D - I b o y s s o c c e r r u n n e r - u p , D - I g i r l s c r o s s c o u n t r y t h i r d ) , M e d i n a ( D - I b o y s c r o s s c o u n t r y c h a m pi o n s ) , N e w a r k (D -I b oys b a ske t b al l cha m p ions ), Ne w K nox vil l e (D -I V b oys b as ke t ba l l cha m p i o n s ) , O t t a w a - Gl a n d o r f ( D - I I I b o y s b a s k e t b a l l c h a m p i o n s ) , P e n i n s u l a W o o d r i d g e ( D - I I b o y s c r o s s c o u n t r y c h a m pi o n s ) , R i v e r s i d e S t e b b i n s ( b o y s b o w l i n g c h a m pi o n s ) , S t r o n g s v i l l e ( D - I g i r l s s o c c e r r u n n e r - u p , g y m n a s t i c s t hird) , Sunb ur y B ig Wa l nut ( D-I I I f oo tb a l l cha mp ion s) , T ro y C hris t ian (D -I II w r e s t l i n g c h a m p i o n s ) , W e s t C h e s te r L a k o t a W e s t ( g i r l s g o l f th i r d , D - I g i r l s b as ke t ba l l run ne r-up ) , Wo rt hing t on Tho ma s Wor thin g to n ( fie l d h ocke y cha m p i o n s ). 4- 1/ 2 - - K e t t er ing Fa irm on t (f ie ld hocke y se m if ina lis t , b oy s bo wl ing s e m ifin al i s t, g i r l s b o w l i n g s e m i f i n a l i s t ) , M a r i o n P l e a s a n t ( D - I V f o o t b a l l s e m i f i n a l i s t, D I II w re st l ing ru nne r- up ), M en to r ( D-I f oo tb a l l runn er -up , D- I vol le y ba l l se m if in a l i st ) .

JJ H u ddle’ s O h io Hi gh

Duane Long’s Top 100

STORY BY DUANE LONG

Diversity defines Class of 2009; Ohio deep at all positions

s we look toward Ohio’s Class of 2009, I am going on another quarterback harangue. I have such a problem with this issue. I received new fuel the last two years. First, Mitchell Evans is as good a quarterback as I have seen in Ohio in the last few years. He got a late offer from Indiana and could start there this coming season, based on what I am being told. I didn't say anything about his lack of offers from any of the top teams in the Big Ten. He was not template size and played at a small school. I disagreed but I let it go. I accepted the parameters of the template. Then comes Trevor Walls. He was 6-5 or 6-6. He was no Terrelle Pryor with his feet, but he moved around just fine. He moves better than Ryan Mallett, a recent transfer from Michigan to Arkansas who was one of the top three quarterbacks nationally from the Class of 2007. Walls did play at Waverly, a smaller school, but he went to camps and all the reports were that he performed well. Right before signing day he got his one and only offer from New Mexico State. So I am back up on my soapbox. How long do we continue to see the "Quarterback Recruiting Template" fail before there is a change in the thinking? We see it at the pro level, too. For every No. 1 overall like John Elway there is a ninth rounder like John Unitas, and a No. 2 overall like Ryan Leaf. For every Peyton Manning there is an undrafted like Tony Romo, and a No. 1 overall like David Carr. What do the high ranking failures have in common? Size and big arms. What do the lowly rated success stories have in common? They are quarterbacks. I doubt you will find a coach that will tell you he can teach a running back vision, or that he can teach him when to cut or when to slow down or speed up. It is something they are born with. We

JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

accept that. But for some reason the idea of being able to teach the instincts to play quarterback will not die despite the lack of success with the template. I have said it before and I will say it again. I like tall big armed quarterbacks. Arm strength and size are important. Having enough arm strength to deliver the ball and the height to see what is going on down the field matter. But the instincts and field vision mean more. The one thing I think the template has done is teach us what is important in a quarterback. Now if those making the decisions will just look at the results. Oh well, on to Ohio’s Class of 2009. The one thing about this class that has been there from the beginning is the diversity. I think the classes of 2007 and 2008 were deeper but they were very limited in the fact that most of the players were lined up at the same positions. This year, there are national players at every position but tight end, and there are those that would argue I need to go back and look at tape of a few players again. There is even an elite quarterback in Cleveland South’s Devontae Payne. The one position that stands out is defensive end. I said back when Ben Martin and Solomon Thomas came out in 2007 that I

only hoped to see a defensive end class like that one again. This 2009 class is even better with three national players. Back then, I said Martin was the best defensive end I had seen in Ohio and Thomas the next best. By the time he is done, I expect Garfield Heights Melvin Fellows to be better. Cincinnati Taft’s Cornelius “Tank” Carradine and Cleveland Glenville’s Jonathan Newsome are both better than Thomas. Ohio just doesn’t produce these kinds of linemen, the long lean edge players. All of the Big Ten schools will be in here as much as the NCAA will allow. I think this class at cornerback offers an argument for the best ever. Clayton Northmont’s C.J. Barnett is the prototype for the position these days with safety size and the tackling you get from that but he can cover like a smaller guy. I consider Middletown’s D.J. Hunter a corner simply because if a player can play corner you play him there. He plays the run like a linebacker. Poor old Mike Edwards from Glenville was born at the wrong time. Any other year he is the talk of Ohio, but he happens to have come along in the same year as a couple of bigger and faster players in Barnett and Hunter. Lakota West’s Ricky Steele can empathize with Edwards. At safety I think we are looking at an underrated lot with Massillon Washington’s Eric Turner and Ohio State commit Jamie Wood from Pickerington Central the only players getting the attention they deserve. Youngstown Liberty safety Isaiah Bell belongs in the conversation about the best safeties the Midwest has to offer. Another that I am very much impressed with is Hamilton’s Denicos Allen. He might be a linebacker before it is all said and done but what a player he is. Patrick Tucker from Cincinnati Princeton has the best body of the lot. The hybrid linebacker/strong safeties are now in demand. Any school looking for players to fill that role needs to get to Ohio. Good ones are in every part of the state. Ohio was so lacking in offensive line talent for so many years I had gotten used to it. Now we have seen a string of good offensive line classes. I am not going to say this class is as good as the last two, which were stronger at tackle while this class is guard heavy. But it does have one top tackle and several top drawer inside linemen. Glenville’s Marcus Hall is one of the best tackles I have seen in my time of following Ohio high school talent. I think Mike Adams and Orlando Pace are in a class by themselves. After those two all-timers, Marcus Hall belongs in the conversation about next best. Several linemen received big early offers,

J J H U D D L E . C O M 55

Duane Long’s Top 100 including Toledo St. John’s center Jack Mewhort and Youngstown Boardman’s Corey Linsley. Mewhort accepted an Ohio State offer and Linsley is likely to be a verbal sooner rather than later. Just how deep this offensive line class is going to be will be determined this summer. I think that despite the presence of the defensive ends what will define this class when we look back five years from now is the inside linemen. What I mean by inside line-

men are the defensive tackles and offensive linemen. There is a collection of those big athletes that can run the likes of which I have never seen. Some are high school defensive ends like Aurora’s Adam Bellamy, who will slide down to defensive tackle or be a fine offensive tackle. Others are high school defensive tackles and offensive guards like Dresden Tri-Valley wrecking machine Ryan Spiker. There are a number of others -- including

***** Melvin Fellows (6-4, 255, DE/DT; Garfield Heights)

***** Storm Klein (6-3, 225, ATH; Newark Licking Valley)

***** Cornellius Carradine (6-4, 230, DE; Cincinnati Taft)

***** John Simon (6-2, 250, DT; Youngstown Mooney)

Melvin Fellows is one of those “five play” prospects: All you need to see is five plays and you can move on to the next player. He has a great looking body – something that is so key to this process as projecting where a player is going to be three years from. Fellows is the prototype strong side defensive end, but he could end up at tackle before he hits a college football field. For now, he is everything you would want in a strong side defensive end and has the frame to carry more weight and stay as a defensive end. With a player this size, it is hard not to think that he will move inside to defensive tackle. Fellows is looking like one of the unique players like the best lineman the class of 2008, Da’Quan Bowers from South Carolina, who is so fast and athletic at 265 pounds that it is not going to surprise anyone if he stays a strong side defensive end in college. Fellows speed and his burst to the ball carrier is something to see.

Storm Klein is a year older than the first time I saw him and I have gotten a better look at him. I thought he could end up as a defensive lineman eventually but now I think he will be a linebacker. Klein played more at linebacker his junior year than as a freshman and sophomore but still has not played a lot at his projected college position. He is so important to his team as a running back and they don’t want to wear him out. As a linebacker, he has great closing speed and is an explosive hitter. I don’t want to compare him to Andy Katzenmoyer – the best linebacker I have seen in Ohio – but as a hitter that is who Klein reminds me of. Klein does not allow yards after contact and is a very solid tackler. He is a very physical player whether he is playing linebacker or running back. For as little as Klein has played as a linebacker he shows such great instincts

For the longest time I have heard about Cornelius Carradine. I never could lay my hands on any tape. I have begun to believe he was an urban legend. Just when I was about to give up, I asked former Cincinnati Withrow coach Doc Gamble if he had seen him. He told me Carradine gave them fits. Carradine had 25 sacks as a sophomore and should have had 35. He reminds me of a young Jevon Kearse. He has a great body for a defensive end and has the wingspan of a 747 airplane. Carradine can fill out more and it will have no impact on his speed and athleticism. I can see a 265-pound weak side defensive end in his future. He is such a natural pass rusher but he plays the run very tough. There is an edge to his game. He is not out there dragging ball carriers and quarterbacks down – he runs through them. I think motor is the thing that com-

Cody Pettit from Patrick Henry, Jake Brandt from Bexley and Mike Hilty from Olentangy Liberty -- that will either join Youngstown Mooney’s John Simon at defensive tackle or Marcus Hall on the offensive line. But either way they will make it a memorable line class. Here we go with bios of the top 106 prospects in Ohio’s Class of 2009, followed by a list of more players to watch. This list will be updated in our September 2008 and January 2009 editions.

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On the first play I ever saw of Fellows, he swam over top of the blocker and ran down the quarterback who was running away from him and got to him before he crossed the line of scrimmage. It is not just size that makes Fellows a strong side player. He is tough against the run and has some nasty in his game. You don’t often talk about hitters when you talk about defensive linemen but Fellows is a punishing tackler. He has the wingspan that I think is so important to an edge player. Fellows committed to Illinois early on but Illini head coach Ron Zook and his staff will have a hard time fighting off Ohio State, which came in a little later with an offer as did Michigan. Fellows is the best strong side defensive end prospect I have seen in Ohio and will challenge Cincinnati LaSalle grad and current Tennessee Volunteer Ben Martin for the best ever with a strong senior year. He boasts a 3.0 GPA

and is a natural for the position. He shoots gaps to make plays in the backfield and he takes on blockers like he has been playing the position his entire high school career. He is such a natural football player. Klein showed a great deal of toughness in the Division III state championship game, when he was injured late in a tight game. He toughed out that game and had 155 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. Afterwards, he had to be hospitalized after the game with a kidney injury. Despite being a starter since he was a freshman, Klein may have the best upside of any player in the class, certainly any highly ranked player, because he has so little time in high school at his college position. As a junior, he had over 100 tackles on defense. Offensively, he had 221 carries for 1,514 yards (6.9 average) and 30 touchdowns. His performance at Ohio State camp last summer earned him an offer as a linebacker and he accepted last October.

pletes the package for any lineman and there is no question about that with Carradine. Taft head coach Mike Martin, a former Cincinnati Bengal, lines him up all over the place. He has played both end spots in the 4-3. He has played defensive tackle and he has played end in a 3-4 alignment. Carradine always finds a way to the quarterback. He uses that imposing wingspan to great effect and does a great job of keeping blockers off his body. He has a reported 4.65-second 40-yard time and runs the hurdles for Taft. He looks solid in the classroom and just needs to get a test score before we see the offers come pouring through the door. I suspect we will see Ohio State and Illinois come in on him as soon as he shows a qualifying test score and I think those will be the schools to beat for his signature.

the package for any lineman and there is no question about that with Carradine. Taft head coach Mike Martin, a former Cincinnati Bengal, lines him up all over the place. He has played both end spots in the 4-3. He has played defensive tackle and he has played end in a 3-4 alignment. Carradine always finds a way to the quarterback. He uses that imposing wingspan to great effect and does a great job of keeping blockers off his body. He has a reported 4.65-second 40-yard time and runs the hurdles for Taft. He looks solid in the classroom and just needs to get a test score before we see the offers come pouring through the door. I suspect we will see Ohio State and Illinois come in on him as soon as he shows a qualifying test score and I think those will be the schools to beat for his signature.

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Duane Long’s Top 100

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***** Marcus Hall (6-6, 300, OL; Cleveland Glenville)

***** Chris Fields (6-0, 180, WR/CB; Painesville Harvey)

***** Justin Turner (6-3, 190, ATH; Massillon Washington)

***** C.J. Barnett (6-1, 175, CB; Clayton Northmont)

***** Jonathan Newsome (6-4, 230; DE/LB; Cleveland Glenville)

Marcus Hall first got my attention when he was a sophomore. At the time he was just a “body.” You just don’t see kids this big that are as well conditioned and well put together as Hall. Not at that age. He looked like a senior. I did not see him again until I saw film of a scrimmage against the loaded Youngstown Mooney defense. I had Mooney’s Taylor Hill, who is headed to Michigan, rated higher than anyone. Watching Hall stone him gave me some idea of what kind of player he was going to be. Taylor should have been too quick for Hall, but I did not see him beat Hall once. I got to see Hall quite a bit as last season wore on. He played against a level of competition that cannot be questioned and he dominated in every game. He followed up his stellar junior campaign with a performance in the U.S. Army All-American junior combine in San Antonio that had everyone in

Whenever there is a game breaker in the state of Ohio, he will be compared to former Glenville standout and current Miami Dolphin Ted Ginn, Jr. It is even worse for Chris Fields who happens to be from the Cleveland area like Ginn. That both are play makers is not in question and neither is speed. Fields has racked up a string of 4.4-second 40-yard times and sub-4.4 40 times over the last couple of years. I don’t know if he is as elusive as Ginn, but I don’t know if I will ever have the pleasure of seeing another player in this state as elusive as Ginn. Fields makes tacklers miss as often as any player I have seen other than Ginn. One thing stands out to me about Fields that I did not see in Ginn. He is very strong and a very determined runner after the catch. He regularly breaks tackles and you don’t often see receivers this size with yards after contact. It happens more often than not with Fields.

A few years ago there was an athlete at Cleveland Glenville named Dareus Hiley that was such a great player that he earned the nickname “Superman.” It was beyond the fact that he was such a great athlete. He was so good at so many different positions that he could play any of them. Most players that earn the athlete label are best at one position but could play one or two others. I would put Turner in that same category. I really do not know what to do with him. I saw Turner first as a running back and still like him as a running back but he has played cornerback, wide receiver and even some quarterback. The only position he has played that I do not think he can play at the college level is quarterback. I would like to see him at receiver with a really good quarterback. He has the size and athleticism that is the hallmark of the top receivers these days.

We have seen runs recently here in the state of Ohio on a number of positions. Linebacker, wide receiver and offensive line have been the positions catching the most attention but every year it seems there is one elite cornerback in the state of Ohio. This year is no exception. Barnett, in particular, belongs up there in the same conversation with the likes of E.J. Underwood, Donte Whitner and former Northmont Thunderbolt Kurt Coleman. Barnett has the size that every college, as well as every pro franchise, is looking for in corners these days to offset the size we are seeing in wide receivers. Barnett is every bit his listed 6-1. He has the feet and hips that are necessary to be a good corner and has the ball skills and the confidence to play man to man, but also seems at home in zone coverage. The only question that remains about Barnett is whether he will follow in

This is a very interesting class of defensive ends. This time last year, Fellows was a name I was familiar with. I had heard about Carradine, but I had also heard about Big Foot. I had not seen either. Newsome was a player I was completely unfamiliar with. Now, all three are in the Ohio High top 10. Linemen usually come along later as it takes time for coordination to catch up with the big bodies but we are usually talking about offensive linemen. “Upside” is the key word with Newsome. His body is nowhere near filled out. He has a long body and very long limbs. There are few programs with a higher profile than Glenville in the state of Ohio but nobody was talking about Newsome until season’s end, so he is just now coming into his own. The one thing that I think about when I watch

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attendance buzzing. I think Hall is a right tackle, born to play the position. But his performance in Texas has left me wondering if he does not get a shot at playing left tackle. He handled the top junior pass rushers in the country. I see a player better at going forward. He dominates at the point of attack but if he can handle the best pass rusher lined up on the other side of the ball, having a left tackle that is also a great run blocker is nothing but a plus. He is holding offers at this early stage from Ohio State, USC and Illinois. The Buckeyes are going to be hard to beat here.

I also like the fact that he runs slants. He is not afraid of the middle of the field and does not shy away from contact. I have been watching Fields since his sophomore year and I have seen him run out of bounds twice. Both times, I am sure Harvey head coach Delvin Culliver would have pulled him off the field and asked him what he was thinking taking a shot like that if he would have done anything but get out of bounds. I would compare Fields more to Carolina Panther Pro Bowler Steve Smith than I would to Ginn because of the tough minded nature of his game. Any other year this is the No.1 player in the class. As a junior, Fields had 51 catches for 879 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He had 22 catches for over 700 yards as a sophomore. Fields was offered a scholarship by Ohio State in February and accepted immediately.

I like a player that can make plays on offense but he is such a tough and physical defender that I want him on defense, too. He is an excellent tackler and has outstanding ball skills. He has a long lean frame that is going to fill out a lot more so I think safety is in his future but I suspect he will be give an look at corner. He is very much like former Colerain star and current Ohio state safety Eugene Clifford. As a junior, Turner tallied 40 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss and three interceptions. Turner verbally committed to Michigan in late March, selecting the Wolverines over Ohio State.

the footsteps of the other recent elite corner prospects that have come out of Ohio and move to safety. He has the size, and the first thing I noticed about him when I saw him as a sophomore was his tackling. He is both a solid tackler and a big hitter. I think he is better in coverage than either Whitner or Coleman and plays with a little more control so I think he will likely stay at corner. Barnett made 59 tackles and intercepted three passes during his sophomore season. Barnett had over 60 tackles and intercepted three more passes during his junior season. Barnett is odds on to be a national top-20 corner in the Class of 2009. I think he is that good. He is also a 4.0 student. Barnett was one of the first players from the Class of 2009 to be offered by Ohio State and committed soon after.

his film is just how good he is going to be when he fills out. There is talk of him possibly paying linebacker but I just don’t see it. He is nowhere near filled out. I have seen him listed at 215 pounds and I have seen him listed at 230 pounds. I don’t think it matters. He is a 265-pound kid by the time he fills out and could be bigger than that. Newsome makes plays all over the field. “Relentless” is the word I would use. He uses that amazing wingspan to keep blockers off his body and he runs like a receiver. Newsome is both quick and fast. He comes off the ball like you want an edge player to come off the ball. He has early offers from Ohio State and Illinois. I am sure there will be more offers but his decision will likely come down to those two schools.

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**** Devontae Payne (6-6, 220, QB; Cleveland South)

Payne is the best looking quarterback prospect I have seen in Ohio since Justin Zwick and Troy Smith back in 2001. He reminds me a lot of Byron Leftwich but is a better athlete. He is good enough that should he end up buried on a depth chart in college, he could accept a move to tight end. You see a lot of players getting credit for being bigger than they actually are, especially quarterbacks, a position where height is a make or break issue. That is not the case with Payne. He is every bit his listed 6-6 and looks thin at 220 pounds. Payne has a big arm and throws over the top. I saw him running to his left and throw a ball 35 yards in the air with a flick of the wrist. As I watch him play I think I have never really seen him cut it loose. Another thing that makes me believe that Payne is special is the fact that

he has not thrown the ball but 250 times in his entire high school career. We are seeing high school quarterbacks throw the ball twice that many times in a year all over the state of Ohio. He has thrown 29 touchdowns in that time and only six interceptions. That tells me he is an excellent decision maker despite his lack of reps. He had 35 dropped passes in his junior year alone. Payne is such a competitor that he went to South head coach Jarvis Gibson and volunteered to play on the offensive line because he thought the team had a better chance of winning if a bigger player was up there. I think intelligence is the most underrated aspect of player evaluation. Payne has a 3.25 GPA and has had at least one 4.0 grading period. He has been to Ohio State several times and over to Notre Dame. Illinois is showing a lot of interest. Bowling Green was the first to offer Payne. Payne is a big time player whose best is still in front of him.

The Next 96... 11. **** Jamie Wood (6-1, 190, ATH; Pickerington Central) Wood is one of the elite athletes in the state of Ohio in the Class of 2009. He jumped out at me on film right away with his playmaking. He was lined up on the line of scrimmage from his safety position and just reeking havoc coming off the edge. Wood has that knack for timing the snap and is an excellent tackler. Later, he was in the defensive backfield disrupting the passing game. Finding players that are comfortable in both roles is something every school in the country is looking for. On offense, he lines up at tight end and gives defensive coordinators headaches running down the middle of the field. No linebacker can come close to covering him. He had 65 tackles on the year and broke up 15 pass attempts. On offense, Wood caught 25 passes. He turned eight of those receptions into touchdowns. Speed is important, but for receivers and defensive backs it is GH the thing that makes or breaks their recruitment. I was not sure about Wood’s speed so I had him down the list in my first top 100. I have since learned he has a 4.5-second 40 and a 33-inch vertical. I did not have any questions about him as a player. I wanted to see him run this summer before I moved him up. The offer list he had in front of him before committing to the Buckeyes in February was all I needed to see to go ahead and move him up. In addition to Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, Illinois, Northwestern, Kentucky, Indiana, Akron and Miami (Ohio) came in with offers. The Stanford and Northwestern offers are all the evidence necessary to show academics are not going to be a problem. Wood will be a safety at Ohio State and has accepted a nomination to participate in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

12. **** Will Studlien (6-2, 220, LB; Sunbury Big Walnut) With Studlien, I see the next in the “Hawk” line. A.J. Hawk to James Laurinaitis to Ross Homan to Andrew Sweat and Studlien is the next player in that line. He has the same game and the same body. What I see when I look at his film is my kind of linebacker. He makes plays at the line of scrimmage and he makes plays in the opponent’s backfield. It seems like the desire to add speed at linebacker has left some forgetting what a great linebacker does. I am getting a lot of tape of linebackers with a lot of speed but they show no ability to read the game. Studlien has made over 350 tackles in the last two years. He led his team to the Division III state championship over Storm Klein’s Licking Valley squad in the game of the weekend at the state championships. Studlien tallied 22 tackles in that state title game. He has the frame to add another 20 pounds to his body and it will not impact his speed and athleticism. GH He reminds me of Hawk in so many ways. Both are a step ahead because they read the game so well. Both have that “stealth” ability. What I mean by stealth is they seemed to be able to disappear on the field. They keep themselves clean of blockers and run free. Studlien also has outstanding closing speed. Some players seem to find another gear when they get a ball carrier lined up. That is another attribute Studlien has in abundance. Play after play, I see other players closer to the ball carrier but Studlien makes first contact. I have watched full games of Studlien and not seen him miss a tackle yet. Another area where he reminds me of Hawk is the lack of attention. Before he camped at Ohio State, Penn State was the only major school that had offered Hawk. Illinois was the first big school to offer Studlien with Northwestern and Cincinnati following suit. I suspect that will change as he gets to camps this spring and summer. Ohio State has been showing interest recently. 13. **** Denicos Allen (6-0, 205, ATH; Hamilton) I bet back in the Pony League days many a mother pulled her kid off the field because of Allen. Does this kid ever bring it!

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He ends up playing a lot of what looks like middle linebacker. I don’t know if that is what Hamilton head coach Jim Place calls it when he has a strong safety-sized player lining up there but that is surely what it looks like. What I am sure of is the defense is designed to put Allen in the middle of the field where he can just run to the ball. His instincts are second to none. Allen reads and reacts to plays before they develop and has the speed to get there and make the play - and does he ever make plays. Allen’s is one of the longest highlight tapes of the year. He is such a great tackler. You could make “How-To” tapes with Allen as the demonstrator. He had 132 tackles for the Big Blue. Allen ran a 10.9-second time in the 100-meter event as a freshman and was an AllGreater Miami Conference selection on the grid iron as a freshman. I suspect every school in the region will try to get him to camp and get a better idea about where he will play in college. He is more a strong safety in size but is so dynamic at the line of scrimmage. If he shows ball skills, his stock will go up. But a lot of schools are looking for smaller, faster linebackers that can be every-down players in this pass happy age. Allen boasts a 3.2 GPA and Place said he is a great character kid, a player every college coach wants in his locker room. He reminds me a great deal of former OSU All-American Mike Doss. Allen was a regular at Buckeye games this past season and says the Buckeyes are his favorite school. Cincinnati, Northwestern and Iowa had made early offers. 14. **** Chris Freeman (6-8, 285, OL; Trotwood-Madison) Freeman finally made it back to the football field and he impressed enough in his short time to get an early offers from LSU, Florida, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska and North Carolina State as well as offers from the Mid-American Conference. He is a basketball player at this size. Some think in time he could be a scholarship player in that sport. That speaks volumes. The most impressive thing about him is that he did not even play football until the playoffs. That amounted to one football game as Trotwood was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Just take a look at the names on that offer list. It is a who’s who of college football, and they came in on him after one varsity football game. That is correct. It isn’t that Freeman was out with injury. He has never played in a live football game before as his mother BK greatly feared he would get injured. All he had ever done was practice before. Ohio State brought him in for a junior day and he has three teammates that committed to Michigan out of the 2008 class. Grades are not going to be a problem. Upside is a key word in recruiting. When you consider that Freeman has played one football game in his life but has the offer list that he has, you have to say he is the all-time upside king.

15. **** D.J. Hunter (5-11, 190, ATH; Middletown) All it takes to see where the top cornerbacks are coming from in Ohio is a glance at the Ohio State depth chart. We think about skill players coming out of northeast Ohio but right now there is not a single cornerback on the Buckeyes roster from that traditional recruiting hot bed. The Ohio born cornerbacks are all from southwest Ohio. Hunter is looking like yet another cornerback from that part of the state to have the top colleges in the country lining up to get his signature on a letter of intent. Hunter has great cover skills. He has a good feel for the position. Sometimes it looks like he is just trying to bait the quarterback into throwing the ball. He can turn and run with receivers and has ball skills that any receiver would love to have. Hunter is a complete corner as he has a linebacker mentality against the run. In fact, I could see him as a safety. The way he hits I think he would relish the opportunity. If not for C.J. Barnett, Hunter would be the top corner in the state. He is faster than Barnett but the biggest advantage Barnett has is the size. Hunter is worth a scholarship as special teams player. I have said in the past that other players were worth a scholarship as a kick returner but with Hunter it is about covering kicks as much as it is about returning kicks. He is an outstanding gunner. Many a freshman gets on the field because he is a good special teams player. Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky have already offered.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 16. **** Darrell Mason (6-1, 210, ATH; Youngstown Ursuline) Most of the talk about Mason has been focused on whether he will be a safety or grow into a linebacker. If you want to make it about his athleticism then he is probably a linebacker but if you want to play him where he is best at then he should be a running back. He played most of the season with a torn MCL in his knee and I think he will likely need to get to camps to show colleges that his knee is sound. He will need to show he has regained the speed that made him the top player in the class as a sophomore. Another thing that came from the knee injury is there is so little film of Mason as a junior on defense. He did manage to rack up 58 tackles and three interceptions. On offense he had over 500 yards rushing and scored five touchdowns. Mason is a physical player and does everything going downhill, whether it is carrying the ball or tackling. On one memorable play, GH he took the handoff, got hit the first time at the line of scrimmage, bounced off that tackler and the next, got hit clean but kept moving and took on two more defenders before finally being dragged down when a third tackler jumped on him. But he Mason has already carried them all into the end zone. He is the kind of big back that excels because he runs with his eyes and has good feet. He uses his blocking very well. I think his size says he will play linebacker if he stays on defense. He is up to right around 215 pounds and I do not see the kind of ball skills that would make a coaching staff want to keep him as a safety. Mason is already getting national attention and has been to Ohio State several times. He has an offer from Illinois.

17. **** Bud Golden (6-0, 190, ATH; Cincinnati Sycamore) When I first saw Bud Golden it was in a game that Sycamore dominated. He impressed me enough in that game to make my initial top 20 for the year but it was not until I saw him later in a more extensive film that I saw why he has the early offers from Ohio State and Illinois. Golden reminds me a great deal of former Akron Buchtel star Antonio Pittman who went on to a career at Ohio State that was impressive enough to get him to the NFL. I needed to see more of Pittman back then, too. Golden has the same efficient style – an economy of motion. Other runners might be more dazzling but runners like Golden and Pittman beat you. He rushed for 1,200 yards last year and added 15 touchdowns. Golden has a better body and is faster. He is credited with a 4.5 40 and he looks that fast or faster on film. He has a better body and looks to be a better athlete. In fact, when I first saw him I thought he might project on defense or maybe as a receiver, he has shown really good hands as a receiver coming our of the backfield, but after seeing him more I try him as a running back first. To my knowledge, he does not play any defense in high school. His offer list includes Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Cincinnati and Bowling Green. He is likely to add more offers as he has not named a favorite and is not close to making a decision. Golden also runs track and is looking like he will not have any problems qualifying.

18. **** Adam Bellamy (6-4, 275, DT/OT; Aurora) On the first play of Bellamy’s video, he comes from the far side of the line and runs down a small, quick back outside the numbers. He does not blow by and get him before he gets outside. He literally runs him down. Bellamy weighs about 270 pounds when he does this. It was not the only time I saw him do this. Bellamy is so explosive off the ball. He is making plays in the backfield before they get started. On one play, he is on the quarterback so quickly he has to move the lineman who is pulling out of the way so he can tackle the quarterback. He shows a good burst and finds the ball very well. Motor is such a kid with the big kids. You take it for granted with the top skill kids but it is not a given with linemen. He may grow into an offensive lineman but for now he is a great looking defensive tackle prospect. GH He had a great performance at the Cleveland combine. He ran a 5.0 40 on a track that most were knocking anywhere from a tenth to two tenths off the times. The importance of 40 times for lineman is not as important as it used to be but a good one is a plus. A bad one is not really a negative and a 5.0 is a solid time. Those in attendance were impressed with his body. That Cincinnati, Indiana, Akron and Miami (Ohio) are the only schools that have seen fit to offer this talented player leaves me scratching my head. It comes down to this: if he is not a great defensive tackle, I am sure he is going to be a great offensive tackle. He showed the wingspan of a 6-7 player at the combine. I am really happy to see someone checking that measurable. 19. **** John Prior (6-6½, 280, OL; Portsmouth) I saw No. 20 Ryan Spiker before I saw John Prior. That is the only reason I gave Spiker the title of the most physical player in the class. But Prior is just as destructive a player as Spiker and maybe more so. The biggest hole I have seen this year was on a short yardage play for Portsmouth. He blew his man completely out of the play then peeled off and pancaked a linebacker. It was no question one of the most impressive blocks I have seen on film this year.

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Prior comes off the ball with such explosion that he has already won most of his trench battles before he has touched his man. He is huge and gets so much thrust that his target is just overwhelmed. He scores more knockdowns than Mike Tyson. The only reason we are not hearing as much as we are hearing out of his teammate Nate Cadogan is because Prior missed a lot of time with injury. He missed all of two-adays where fundamentals are taught, something that is especially important with linemen at this stage of development. He didn’t have a full practice until midseason. When camps roll around this is a player that is going to shave an offer list that any player in Ohio would be proud of. Prior is just scratching the surface of what he is going to be in time. He is a high school tackle and likely will stay there in college. He is what you want to see in a right tackle. Prior is currently 6-6½ with a 330 bench press and a 480 squat. 20. **** Ryan Spiker (6-3, 290, OG; Dresden Tri-Valley) Every Monday during football season there is always a buzz about one segment on ESPN SportsCenter. The title of the segment has become a part of the sports vocabulary. He got “jacked up” has become a catch phrase in our language. Spiker’s highlight film is one long “he got jacked up” tape. He plays the game with such violence. He has a motor that never stops running and an explosive first step. I take a player like that and at least take a look at him as a defensive player first. There is no such thing as too many good defensive tackles. Spiker does not have the kind of frame you want in an offensive tackle so he will be a guard on offense. That makes it all the more a good idea to take a look at him as a defensive tackle. He is very disruptive. He plays with good leverage and pad level. You don’t see him get moved out of the hole. That is especially impressive when you consider he is just now getting into the weight room. I don’t have a total for the number of tackles for loss he racked up last season but there is an impressive number of them on his highlight film. I know this – I can’t remember the last time I saw a defensive tackle have more. He is also solid in pass protection, not allowing a sack last year. Indiana and West Virginia have offered, while Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota and Georgia Tech are all giving him a hard look. Spiker has been down to Ohio State at the invitation of the Buckeyes and will camp here. An offer likely ends his recruitment.

21. **** Jake Brandt (6-6, 260, DT/OL; Bexley) I just saw this kid recently and that is a big surprise. It is unusual for a player of this caliber to be out there and I do not find him until this late in the process. The only question about Brandt is where is he going to play in college. He is a high school defensive end but I don’t see the explosion or athleticism to play there in college – and he is going to get a lot bigger. He is a lanky 260 pounds and has the frame to go over 300 pounds. I think he could be a defensive tackle but where he stands out to me is as an offensive lineman. He moves very well. He is a fluid athlete for such a big kid and has great feet. He shows an impressive punch, sometimes taking players off their feet with it. In run blocking he uses it to knock his man off balance, get lower and drive him off the ball. One of the defining things about this class is the number of two-way tackles – players that could line up on either side of the ball in college. Brandt falls into that category but he is such a good looking tackle, he plays left tackle in high school, that I would not waste time messing around with him on defense. Let him get as many reps as possible as a left tackle. Of the two-way tackles, Adam Bellamy is the only other one that would be a college offensive tackle. Bexley is off the beaten recruiting path so schools have not found their way to Jake Brandt but that will change very soon.

22. **** Corey Linsley (6-4, 275, OG; Youngstown Boardman) Linsley comes off the ball as well as any lineman in the state. With his first step explosion he is moving at a rate of speed that overwhelms most high school linemen. He locks his guy up and it is over. He shows good pad level and uses leverage very well. Linsley shows what kind of athlete he is very early in his film. He is downfield throwing second level blocks. On one play he is sent to block a safety, and he does get his man. He is in a run dominated offense so we have not seen as much out of him as I would like as a pass blocker. What little I have seen of him gives me confidence that he is not going to have problems getting up to speed. He has excellent feet and hips. I love his tenacity. He stays after it until his man goes down or until the whistle. He is a very physical player. If not for Ryan Spiker, I would be GH talking about Linsley as the most physical player in the class. He is so athletic and quick I might give him a day or two in practice at defensive tackle. To my knowledge he has not played defense in high school. He is a high school offensive tackle but projects as a guard. Ohio State offered in early April. He also had offers from Michigan State, Stanford, Illinois, Pitt, Miami (Fla.), Akron and Connecticut. 23. **** Jack Mewhort (6-6, 285, C; Toledo St. John’s) If I could only use one word to describe the offensive line class in Ohio this year it would be “nasty.” Positions run the gamut. There is someone top drawer for every position on the line and they are from all over the state of Ohio. The one thing that unites them all is they bring it. Mewhort is no exception.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 He may be the strongest of the lot. He has a punch that looks like a George Foreman jab. On his film there is a play early on where he punches an opposing defensive tackle, a good sized kid, and literally lifts him off his feet. He is athletic enough to pull and you don’t see that from a center. That is a lot to ask of a player at the college or pro level, let alone high school. I am unsure what is going to happen with Mewhort at the next level. He has the height and frame of an offensive tackle and has very long arms. I have never seen a 6-6 center at any level of football, but natural centers are hard to find. He has been a center since the beginning of his sophomore year. Despite his long arms Mewhort is benching 365 pounds. GH He did not want to wait around, committing to Ohio State a week after getting his offer. Mewhort also had scholarship offers from Michigan State, Northwestern, Toledo and Bowling Green.

24. **** Mike Edwards (6-0, 185, CB; Cleveland Glenville) Edwards is a name fans are not familiar with but that is going to change as he heads into his second season as Glenville’s starting cornerback. Edwards transferred in last year and immediately grabbed one of the starting spots. He put himself on the recruiting map with a solid season where he racked up over 40 tackles and had three interceptions. He took his recruitment to another level with an eye catching performance at the Cleveland combine where he ran a 4.4-second 40 on a slow track and put up an impressive 34-inch vertical. Edwards had 13 reps on the bench press and pound-for-pound is as impressive a number as any of his speed and athletic numbers. So often freshmen do not play because of little things, one of them is not being strong enough. Edwards is a solidly built corner. With his strength and college ready body he may be a candidate for early playing time. On the field he shows he is capable of playing on an island. He is aggressive and utterly fearless. He is a willing run support player and chases the ball until the whistle. One play on his film defines Edwards. He shows the speed as GH well as the tenacity when he chases a back down who has busted through the middle of the line. The ball is on the right hash, at the 45 yard line. Edwards is lined up one-on-one outside the opposite hash. It looks like Glenville can just go get ready for the kickoff. Edwards won’t quit on the play and has the speed to do something about it. It defines what kind of player he is. Has an offer from Indiana but Ohio State has had him down and could offer. That would end his recruitment. 25. **** Dan Fox (6-4, 215, LB/DE; Cleveland St Ignatius) Fox is one of the most intriguing players in the Class of 2009. All you need to do is see the Glenville game from his junior year. Year in and year out, no school puts more skill and speed on the field than Ted Ginn’s Tarblooders. Last year was no exception. In this game, Fox may have been the best player on the field, as well as the fastest. Keep in mind that Illinois recruit Cordale Scott was on that field. Fox intercepted a pass and outran everyone for a touchdown and ran down one of the Glenville receivers from behind. Maybe he grows into a defensive end eventually but right now he is a great looking linebacker who is fast enough and athletic enough to cover slot receivers. He has the wingspan of a bird of prey and has plenty of room to fill out into a defensive end but it GH doesn’t really matter if he doesn’t. He has everything you would want in a linebacker. He currently has offers from Virginia, Illinois, Michigan State, Maryland and Northwestern. Penn State and Ohio State has inquired about him. Fox is an excellent hurdler with a best of 14.9 seconds in the 110-meter event. If he goes as far as his times indicate, he could be busy this summer.

26. *** Chris Snook (6-2, 220, LB; Medina Highland) Snook put himself on the radar as a big back. If he was not going to get much bigger I think someone would offer him as a back. He is a fine back. He shows vision, a good burst and is a very physical runner. But I look at the body and see a player that is not done growing. I see 240 pounds in his future. There is such a great looking frame on this kid. Snook can really run and is so athletic that he lines up at safety sometimes. He is arguably the best striker in the class. It should be illegal for him to play safety. He plays very well in space on defense at both linebacker and safety. No matter where he lines up he makes plays. He is off to a really good start in the athlete season, catching the eye of many observers at the Cleveland combine. Last summer he ran a 4.6-second 40 at the Ohio State camp and had a 4.25 shuttle. He went up to the Michigan camp and benched 225 for 14 reps. He bested that at Cleveland with 23 reps. He also put up an 8-foot-10 broad jump. I am not going to be surprised if this kid is a top-15 player by season’s end, and has Big Four (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame) offers. Snook gets it done in the classroom with a 3.1 GPA. 27. **** Branko Busick (6-1, 220, LB; Steubenville) Don’t forget the name. Busick is a small school superstar that hits a ton and has great

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instincts. He is a great blitzer and reads the game as well as any linebacker I have seen in the past few years. I marveled at how many times I saw this kid step into the right hole pre-snap. He sometimes appears to have been in the opponents huddle. On one memorable play, he ran over the guard and the fullback who tried to pick him up and still managed a tackle for loss. That is how quickly this kid diagnosed the play and was in the backfield. He is reading and reacting to plays so quickly blockers are having a hard time finding him. On another play, he grabs both the quarterback and the running back because he has gotten there so fast he is not sure who has the ball so he grabs both until he figures it GH out. A couple of plays later in the film against a different team he does it again. The most impressive play is on an end around. He is moving before anyone else on the defense knows what is going on. The receiver gets about three steps before Busick lines him up. He is as football smart as any player in the class and Busick is one of the best blitzers I’ve ever seen. Busick has committed to West Virginia.

28. **** Patrick White (6-0, 175, CB/WR; Pickerington Central) This son of former OSU and West Virginia defensive back Terry White is one of the elite athletes in the class. Where he plays is the question. A lot of schools, including Ohio State are in contact and he has offers from Akron and Cincinnati at this early stage. He has the best hands I have seen this year, and that is saying something. White could be even better as a cornerback. Some players seem to have an almost unnatural attraction to the football. We call it instinct and White is one of those players. No matter where the ball is on the field, White is there. He attacks the ball in the air no matter if he is on offense or defense. The best skill players have that mentality the ball is theirs. That is especially the case with White, who has an explosive leaping ability and catches anything he can reach. He is a very combative player. White had an impressive 27 passes defended and three interceptions, but the most telling stat might be his 49 tackles. That is GH why I see him on defense. He has a solid body and can get bigger and he comes up in run support like a safety. In my first rough draft I had White a top ten player but I need to see him run. He has the skills of a top ten player but he needs to show he can run like a top ten player this spring and summer in the athlete season. If he does that, he is going to have his pick of schools. 29. **** Isaiah Bell (6-2, 200, S; Youngstown Liberty) Simply put, Bell is the best safety nobody is talking. He has the instincts of a linebacker against the run and is a very good sized safety. The 6-2, 200 pounds seems a bit on the small side. He looks to be a bigger kid but Liberty head coach Jeff Whitaker reports accurate heights and weights. Bell has the wingspan of a lineman. In fact, I would not be surprised if he ends up growing into a linebacker. He has a nice frame and I have noticed these long limbed kids tend to fill out a good bit. He is big enough to take on blockers and still make plays, but he is fast enough to make plays in the open field. Once he finds the ball, he closes like nobody’s business. But Bell has such tremendous ball skills that he could just as easily be a free safety. He has the best ball skills I have seen from a projected safety in this class. He returned two interceptions for scores, including one for 102 yards, and one punt. He has more GH return yards off of interception, punt and kickoff returns than any player in this top 100. Getting to camps could put this underrated kid on everyone’s want list. I can see Big Four offers in Bell’s future.

30. **** Aaron Mershman (6-3, 200, QB; Bowling Green) I had not heard anything about Mershman until right before we went to press. You see that sometimes at other positions but a quarterback this good coming in this late is really rare. Mershman is a joy to watch. There is very little to be critical about. He is as mechanically as sound as any quarterback I have seen in Ohio. He sets his feet and delivers the ball over the top and has a really good arm. He can make every throw in the book. Outs, ins, slants, posts, fades – you name it and I can pull up a clip where Mershman throws it. He sees the field so well and does not just sit on certain routes. He sprays the ball all over the field. He shows really good mobility throws on the run about as well as he does sitting in the pocket and throwing. Mershman put up nice numbers as a junior, completing 109 of 208 passes for 1,466 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 370 rushing yards and six touchdowns are testament to that. That I have not heard about this kid until now is as strong a piece of evidence as I have seen about the mess quarterback recruiting has become. That nobody is talking about such a fine looking quarterback shows just how bad it has gotten. A couple on inches taller and I would have likely heard about him two years ago. Camps will be crucial for Mershman. 31. *** Patrick Tucker (6-4, 200, ATH; Cincinnati Princeton) This is a name that only the most hard core recruiting fanatics and high school football

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Duane Long’s Top 100 fans will know. He is the other four-star sleeper in this class along with Jake Brandt from Bexley. Whether it is as a safety or a linebacker, this is a player with the potential to be a star. He is a big hitting free safety with outstanding range. He has a great frame and is very long limbed. In addition he is highly athletic. I don’t know where he is going to end up in college. He is so lean but weighs 200 pounds. He could fill out into a linebacker and I would not be surprised if that were to happen. In fact, I would say that is what is going to happen with Tucker. He is a free safety but his tape says he is more comfortable in a strong safety role. There is not a lot of film of him on pass defense. In run support he is in his element so I don’t think he will have a problem moving closer to the line of scrimmage. He is a very physical player. No word on schools showing interest but I think once the athlete season gets started we will see his name everywhere as schools get to see what a special athlete he is and what kind of body he has

32. ** Pat Muldoon (6-4, 240, DE; Cincinnati St. Xavier) Aaron Kampman, Aaron Schobel, Jared Allen, Kyle Vanden Bosch – not exactly a bunch of household names. They were all unheard of coming out of college, but are now members of an elite handful of players that are the best pass rushers on the NFL. They were not high draft picks and none were first-rounders. I bring them up because Pat Muldoon has a lot in common with them. They are all high motor guys and workers. Others are going to have better combine numbers but nobody is going to be more effective. That is what I see with Muldoon. He did not stand out physically when I saw him but he was always around the football. He has played against a level of competition second to none and he racked up double digits in sacks SP and tackles for loss in both his sophomore and junior years. He had 10 sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss in 2006 and 12 sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss in 2007. I think he likely grows into a defensive tackle. Muldoon has an impressive offer list at this early stage with Cincinnati, Ohio State, Louisville, Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Purdue, North Carolina State and Northwestern leading the way.

33. *** Dan France (6-6, 260, ATH; North Royalton) I remember the first glimpse I got of Dan France. He was playing standing up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. “Are you kidding me?” was the thought in my mind. He is every bit his listed 6-6 and 260 pounds. That is a decent sized defensive end in a 4-3 at the NFL level. I got my next surprise when he ran down a quarterback when I hit the play button again. The next play he chased a quarterback down from across the field. This went on for the rest of the film. I saw every type of blocking scheme tried against him and none of them worked. As impressed as I am with France as a defensive player, I think his future is on offense. He is the one tight end in the class that shows he could be a national player. France fits the kind of tight ends that the Big Ten offenses are looking for. He is an outstanding inline blocker with the frame to add the kind of size to be just as good at the next level. He catches everything thrown to him and knows what to do with it after he catches it. He reminds me a lot of Springboro tight end Jake Ballard from a few years ago who ended up at Ohio State. France has a great frame and a really fine athlete for his size. France is one of the best players nobody is talking about but once he gets to camps that will change.

34. *** Adam Homan (6-3, 233, ATH; Coldwater) I am going to make a big statement here and one I am sure someone would challenge me on. Adam Homan is as good a linebacker as older brother Ross, an Ohio State linebacker. Adam has the same kind of instincts and reads the game as well as his older brother. He dominates the game to the same degree as Ross. He is as physical, or even more physical, than Ross was at the same age. I know I saw more memorable hits out of Adam yet he shows his football I.Q. to be as good as Ross. Then why is he not a Buckeye linebacker recruit like Ross? So much of this is about bodies and I have more arguments about that with fans on the than any other subject. These two brothers are a text book example. Adam was likely going to outgrow linebacker but was not going GH to be quite big enough to be a defensive line recruit. The other thing he shared with Ross was both were excellent high school running backs but Adam was very smart to accept that fullback was the ideal position for him. I think it is such a wasted position in today’s offenses. I can’t believe that coaches have voluntarily given up a skill player. Adam Homan is big enough to be the battering ram everyone wants in a fullback but he can make something happen when he has the ball. He is committed to Ohio State and the Buckeyes may have rediscovered the back part of fullback.

35. *** Dannell Smith (6-4, 290, OT; Newark) Smith is a raw and athletic prospect with a great frame. He is about 290 right now but I

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can see 320 in his future with no impact on his athleticism and quickness. He is a better defensive tackle right now and plays hard all the time. He comes off the ball really well and stays after it to the whistle. The very first play I see out of him sets the tone for the rest of the film. He chases a back that is running wide but doesn’t get there. He continues to chase and gets him 20 five yards downfield. As an offensive lineman he can be a dominating player. He blows people off the line and regularly gets more than one block because he stays after it to the whistle. He is very fluid and athletic and has quick feet. As a pass blocker he is a work in progress but does it very well. He is tenacious and uses his hands well. Smith plays both guard and tackle in high school but I think he will be a guard at the college level. I would call him the most underrated lineman in Ohio. Grades are why he is not higher on this list. 36. *** Terrence Davis (6-4, 205, WR; Fremont Ross) I ended up seeing three full games from Fremont Ross. The one thing I came away saying was they have a pretty good sophomore quarterback and he needs to throw the ball to Terrence Davis on every play. It doesn’t matter that if the defense knows if he is going to get the ball. They still have to stop him from catching it and tackle him after he gets it. When I first saw Davis, I thought I was looking at a linebacker – a linebacker who may be headed to defensive end. He is that big. After the catch, Davis is so difficult to corral because he is so strong. I have not been able to confirm a 40 time, but I am told he has run a 4.55. His size is the reason he is down the list a bit for a player who reminds me of NFL veteran Terrell Davis. This is a high school kid and he is going to get bigger. If he holds his speed as he gets bigger he is an NFL player himself. Last year, Davis had 15 touchdowns and had over 600 yards receiving averaging over 20 yards a catch. Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Cincinnati are all showing interest. If he runs well in the athlete season, that interest will turn into offers and he will be in the top 20 on this list.

37. *** Cody Pettit (6-4, 230, DL/OL; Hamler Patrick Henry) This is the year of the two-way tackles in Ohio and Pettit does not have to take a backseat to any of them. There are so many things he does well that I do not know where to start. There is no question about his motor. He plays the game like his life depends on the outcome. A coach is going to have to work on calming him down instead of trying to light a fire under him. Pettit runs very well and I see a defensive tackle in his future but where you see it best at is when he pulls as an offensive lineman. The first play I saw of him as a tackle on offense, he got downfield faster than the receiver on that side of the field. He is very fluid and athletic. Pettit is a high school defensive end whose body will likely take him down to tackle. You don’t often see high school lineman whose jerseys flap around in the breeze at the waist but you do with Pettit. He is in that kind of shape. He comes off the ball as well as any lineman in Ohio. He is winning so many battles just with his first step. Pettit get by them before they get out of their stance. This is a player who could be a summer rising star. Pettit’s level of competition is going to be the big question with Patrick Henry competing in Division V. How he does in drills against big school kids will tell the tale about the schools he has to choose from. Pettit is the most underrated of the two-way tackles this year.

38. *** Chris Williams (5-11, 175, DB/WR; Cincinnati Winton Woods) The first two plays I saw from Williams made me think what a great decathlete he would make. On the first play, he lines up at receiver and leaps out of the stadium to make a one handed grab. The next play, he gets down in a sprinters stance and shoots through the line and makes a sack. Williams is one of the most explosive players I have seen this year. He shows it when he goes up to make a play on the ball and when he lines up a ball carrier for a hit. Most of the defensive film is of Williams making plays at the line of scrimmage but he shows his ball skills on the offensive plays. I think it is premature to say he is a safety at the next level. He shows such great hands and play making ability that I think someone is going to get the idea to give him a shot at wide receiver. Williams is a very physical player on both sides of the ball, as he is one of the better blocking receivers in the state this year. As a defensive player he brings it. This is one of the most underrated players in the Class of 2009. I suspect after the athlete season we are going to hear more about him. The camps and combines are so much about checking these players as athletes and Williams will make an impression. 39. *** Nate Cadogan (6-6, 265, DE/OL; Portsmouth) When I first heard about Cadogan, Portsmouth head coach Curt Clifford said he was going to be a special one. It looked as though he was going to be a defensive end but he has undergone a growth spurt and is now mostly being recruited as an offensive lineman. He plays tight end on offense so he is pretty raw as far as playing the offensive line is concerned at this point, but it does give an idea of what kind of athlete Cadogan is.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 He is a fine defensive player, and more and more we are seeing tall defensive tackles, but the build I see on Cadogan tells me he is going to get a lot bigger – more along the lines of his older brother, Penn State’s All-Big Ten offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan. Nate has the long arms that are important to an offensive tackle. Penn State has already offered and Northwestern has come in on this outstanding student. He is hearing from Ohio State, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State and Illinois. He was one of the most impressive physical specimens at a combine in Cincinnati late in February and I suspect his offer list will improve when he gets to camps this spring and summer where schools can get a better idea where they think his best position is. Like his brother Gerald, he is a student-athlete in the truest sense of the word, and will be an asset to any locker room whether or not he ever plays a down. 40. *** Brian Slack (6-5, 215, TE; Akron Hoban) The first thing that leaps off the film about Slack is his size. He has a huge frame and it is hard to believe he is only in the 215- to 220-pound range. He looks gangly and is going to get so much bigger. He will get into the 260-pound range by the time he is finished filling out. Slack brings a lot to the table. He can do the classic things in the receiving game that you want out of the tight end. He moves the chains and understands making himself available – getting where the quarterback can find a big target when he is in trouble. I also see a player that can stretch the field. He is not the kind of elite athlete we are seeing in that role but apparently Slack did not get the memo. If the safeties roll wide he will head to the house. I think that has everything to do with his football mentality. He is one of those receivers that looks for the soft spots and shows soft hands. The icing on the cake is Slack is an outstanding blocker. He is so good that he is on the front side of Hoban running plays. I don’t remember seeing a tight end racking up pancakes until I saw Slack’s film. He is one of the real sleepers in this class and I player I will be keeping my eye on.

41. *** Fitzgerald Toussaint (5-10, 180, RB; Youngstown Liberty) Sometimes I watch a player and I see another level of speed. That is what I saw the first time I took a look at Toussaint. Speed is something top-100 skill players have in common but there are some players that sets themselves apart from the others. He ran a 10.7-second 100-meter time as a freshman. Last year he ran a 10.59 100-meter and cloked a 21.79 200-meter time. That is an entirely different level of speed. Toussaint rushed for 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. He came back with 1,400 yards and racked up 24 touchdowns as a junior. I don’t know if Toussaint fits in every offense as a back – and I don’t know how much bigger he is going to get – but his speed fits any system. If he shows he can catch the ball I think his stock will GH soar. Toussaint is about the same size as Buckeye recruit and No. 6 ranked Chris Fields. If he shows he has the hands to play wide receiver in college he will be a top 20 player like Fields. He is as elusive as he is fast. Some of his runs look like something staged, they are so incredible. Toussaint has committed to Michigan. He also had offers from from Michigan State, Illinois, Akron, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

42. *** Bradley McDougal (6-1, 190, ATH; Dublin Scioto) The first thing that hit my mind after seeing a few plays from McDougal was how was this kid running under the radar? He is playing at a major Division I high school program in Columbus and it is a program that has put players in major college programs – and done so recently. In just a few plays, I could see this was at least a top fifty player in this class. He is so good at so many things I really cannot pencil him in to one spot. His regular position on offense is running back but the Scioto coaching staff lines him up receiver sometimes. He has good hands and is elusive after the catch so they want to get him out in space. As a running back, McDougal impresses me greatly. He makes use of his elusiveness there but he runs tough and shows excellent balance and a good burst. He has really good vision and if I was looking at him as an offensive player I would put him at running back. As a defensive back he plays corner but I think he projects better as a safety. He is very aggressive on the ball and on the ball carrier and is a solid tackler. McDougal is an excellent return man and a good gunner. I think need is going to determine where he plays. I like him best as a running back and he has the body to fill out some more. McDougal is one of the best players you have never heard of. 43. *** Jeff Walker (6-4, 200, WR; Akron Coventry) I have gone back and forth on Walker more than I have any player this year. When I first watched his tape I could not be more impressed. He has a skill level second to none. He can go up and over defenders and is a beautiful, smooth athlete. He makes playing the game look effortless. Walker gets open against press coverage and zone coverage and has outstanding hands and is elusive after the catch. The one thing that I could not resolve was his speed. He is a long kid that will probably fill out a good bit more. All my questions were resolved when he ran a 4.58 40 on a slow track at the Cleveland combine. He also put up an impressive 9-3 broad jump, a number that gives a good indication of explosion. Those are the kinds of numbers that can draw the major college football programs into

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his school. Walker is just as impressive, if not more so, as a defensive player. He had over 100 tackles as a free safety and I would be very interested to see a player with this kind of frame and athleticism as a defensive player. Right now, it is Louisville and the MAC schools showing the most attention. If he gets to camps this summer he could add some schools to that mix.

44. *** Tyler Scott (6-3, 230, LB; Warren Howland) The first thing that I noticed about Scott is how big he is. I was surprised to hear he is 6-3. If I had been told he was 6-5, I would have believed it. The second thing is he is deceptively fast. He runs down backs outside the numbers and closes on quarterbacks that think they have time to throw but learn the hard way that they don’t. One play on his film shows what kind of athlete Scott is. He tries a “Lavar Arrington” and dives over the top of the line and tries to make a tackle. Unlike Arrington, he missed, but the play speaks volumes about his athleticism. Scott has the frame to get a lot bigger. One thing that you don’t see a lot with high school linebackers GH is good pass defense. Scott is one of the really good ones. A high school coach told me Scott drove his quarterback to distraction because he was such a good pass defender. He impressed those in attendance at the Cleveland Combine. He has no offers right now but I think we see that change once he gets to camp during the athlete season. Scott is one of the more underrated players in Ohio. He is a pretty good high school tight end but will be a linebacker in college.

45. *** Brian Underwood (5-10, 175, WR; Cleveland Heights) That I am not fan of small backs is not news but my attitude about smaller receivers is different. I prefer big receivers but there is an old expression that “speed kills’. There is a place in the game for the smaller players if they bring speed to the game. Brian Underwood is one of those players that can change the game with one touch. I don’t know if he is really 5-10 but for what he brings to the game it really doesn’t matter. He gets open, he catches really well and then he hits the clutch and finds a gear that very few players can. And the best thing about it is, he knows it. Some players that have speed do not have confidence in it. Underwood kicks in that gear and knows he is going to run by everyone chasing him. He has run 4.31 40 and that time was recorded independently, not at school. I am going to hear he is too small until about January. That is always the case. Schools find reasons not to offer a player and they are focused on what is wrong with a player. The closer we get to signing day, the more they will remember why he is on the board in the first place. Some schools have already realized it with Underwood getting offers from North Carolina, Colorado and Cincinnati. He is also a great kick returner. 46. *** Dale Peterman (5-11, 175, CB/WR; Youngstown Ursuline) Peterman first came to my attention as a receiver. He is a playmaker and can take a slant and turn it into a score, or he can go over the top and take a ball away from a defender. He is a player that can change a game with one touch as a receiver but where I think he is special is at cornerback. Sometimes size doesn’t matter. Dale Peterman plays bigger than his size. Take a look at this kid as a cornerback. He is right there with No. 8-ranked C.J. Barnett and No. 15-ranked D.J. Hunter – the top two corners in the class as a run defender. Both have the kind of bodies that make them good against the run. Peterman has great hands and can leap out of the building. There is no question about the level of competition Peterman compiled his ten minute highlight film against as Ursuline played Division I legends like Massillon and Warren Harding as well as Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. SP When I first saw him, I had Peterman in the top 20. He has that kind of skill and playmaking ability. His first time of the year at the Cleveland combine was good but not what I expected. Peterman is a tough, smart, highly skilled player. If he puts up a speed number that I think he can, he will be back in the top 20. South Carolina is already convinced. Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks put an offer on the table.

47. *** Aunre Davis (6-0, 180, ATH; Warren Harding) Davis plays quarterback but will get a look at receiver in college. He is one of the great playmakers in Ohio this year. I think he could get a look as a safety or possibly at cornerback but he has that ability to change a game with one touch of the ball on offense. His film speaks for itself. Someone is going to get him to camp this summer and see if he can catch the ball. Being a quarterback in high school will help him in moving to receiver as he has a feel for the timing involved in running patterns. He is off to a good start in the athlete season as he was one of the standouts at the Cleveland combine. He

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Duane Long’s Top 100 ran a 4.62 on a slow track and broke off an impressive 9-11 in the broad jump. It is no surprise that his explosiveness was something everyone in attendance noted when he can post a broad jump like that. It is apparent on film, too. When he decides to tuck the ball and run, he is at top speed in a couple of steps and can change direction at speed. Davis is a smart football player and a crafty one. He is not making mistakes and despite not being a great passer, he makes great decisions. Whether at receiver or somewhere on defense, Davis is a big time football player.

48. *** Perez Ashford (5-11, 175, WR; Shaker Heights) I saw Perez Ashford as a sophomore and received his junior film early in the process. I put it away and did not think about it again for awhile. I pulled it out again when it was time to put together the Ohio High top 100 for the Class of 2009 and I had forgotten how good he is. The first four plays on the film should be enough to land him scholarship offers. He makes a leaping touchdown catch on the right side of the end zone, follows that with a one handed stab that would have been enough but sidesteps a tackler and takes it to the house. On the third catch, he leaps up between two defenders to take what should have been an interception away then fights off both to dive into the end zone. On the fourth, he beats a corner on a fade, makes the catch, then times a stiff arm perfectly to throw the defender off balance and waltzes into the end zone. SP He is a well put together receiver and has a big receiver’s game but he has better speed than most big receivers. He goes over the top and takes passes away from defenders. Ashford is a good cornerback, too. Some may like a player his size better there but I see a receiver. He has such big play ability. He is a good kick returner, too. Running well in the athlete season will put him higher on this list come the preseason issue in July. 49. *** Sean McClellan (6-4, 241, DE; Cincinnati Moeller) McClellan is the younger brother of a former Ohio High top 100 member Patrick McClellan. Patrick was a safety/linebacker two years ago and Sean has the same long body but he is just a little bigger than Patrick. He is a 3-4 down lineman that would really find a home as a 4-3 defensive end. I think he fits best as an strong side end as he is strong against the run, despite a build that looks like it belongs on a weak side rush end. That is not out of the question. Sean is a relentless player with a 4.7 40 time to his credit. He does a good job of shedding blockers and is adept at splitting double teams. He is showing some impressive numbers in the weightroom with a 470-pound squat, a 500-pound dead lift and a 255pound clean. He has a frame that you could hang a lot of weight on. Moeller has had a coaching change so McClellan is flying low on the radar but that will change once the athlete season gets going and schools get a look at his body. If he runs under 4.7 he could be a player that sees Big Ten offers by seasons end. He falls into that category of big kids that can run and my mantra is there are never too many of those players.

50. *** Tyler Arend (6-5, 290, OL; Paulding) Arend has a good base and uses his hips well. That is what makes him a good drive blocker. He regularly drives his opponent completely out of the play and gets his share of pancakes. Arend plays tackle in high school, but I think he projects as a guard at the next level despite good feet and long arms. Right tackle is another possibility. He needs to work on his pass blocking. He tends to want to stand in one spot and reach but that is something we see regularly with high school lineman who are used to dominating just because of their size. He shows good tenacity against an opponent that will not back down from him. Arend looks his listed 290 pounds but is in no way sloppy and can add some more weight to his frame. Level of competition is going to be an issue playing for Division IV Paulding, so getting out on the camp and combine circuit will be crucial for him.

51. *** Ricky Steele (5-11, 175, CB; Cincinnati LaSalle) Steele is one of the most underrated players in the state and certainly the most underrated cornerback. He just happens to come along in the same year as a couple of players that have Ohio State and Michigan offers in Barnett and Hunter, as well as a top corner in one of the most high profile programs in the country in Glenville’s Mike Edwards. The very first play on his video shows a textbook example of corner play. One thing Steele brings to the table is more experience at one-on-one coverage. LaSalle asked him to do a lot of that, but he is also very tough against the run and is an outstanding tackler. He got his hands on more passes than any corner I have seen this year. Steele played against Josh Jones from Elder, Connor Ryan and Joey Paris from St. Ignatius, Tony Harris from Moeller and Kenny Stafford from DeSales, not to mention lining up every day in practice against superstar DeVier Posey every day in practice. No defensive back in the state can say they went up against better competition. Any other year this is the top corner in the state of Ohio. 52. *** Kevan Westenbarger (6-4, 190, QB; McComb) There are some things I have learned to question over the years in this business. One

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is getting a film where the receiver runs a 4.4-second 40. The other is quarterbacks that are 6-4. The former are usually nowhere close to 4.4 and the latter are usually closer to 6-1. That is not the case with Westenberger. He looks every bit of 6-4, has given a 4.75 and looks at least that fast on tape. Westenbarger ends up running around quite a bit in this offense and he throws on the run very well. His release is the best in the class. It is hard to get a look at arm strength in the offense McComb runs but the few plays where he does show it off it looks like he has a really big time arm. I would love to see him just set up in the pocket and throw the ball. Westenberger will need to get to camps. Last year, that point was driven home when outstanding small school quarterback Trevor Walls of Waverly ended up with an offer from New Mexico State late in the process.

53. *** Jowan Peterson (6-2, 180, S; Cincinnati Withrow) The very first play on Peterson’s tape sums up what kind of player he is. His read and reaction to a long handoff is what you want to see from all defensive players. The run part of the read-react-run equation is superb. He gets there just after the ball arrives. He was ten yards from the receiver as the ball is thrown and when he arrives he drives the receiver two yards backward with a picture perfect tackle. That is strong safety play at its best. Peterson is one of the better strong safeties in the state but I have to think he is on his way to linebacker. He is so long and lean and is going to add a good deal of weight. He plays at the line of scrimmage a lot so the transition will be a smooth one. He does a good job of dealing with blockers and is a great blitzer. Peterson is one of the most underrated players in the state. 54. *** Brad Rogers (5-10, 220, RB; Toledo Central Catholic) When I first heard about Rogers, it was for his play as a linebacker. I got a look at him just before deadline. I was impressed with what I saw of him as a linebacker. He shows good instincts and a great read, react, run. He is a sure tackler and a good hitter. He does not have an ideal body for the position but he is a talent and at some level he could be a linebacker. The reason I have Rogers ranked this high in the Ohio High top 100 is because he is an even better running back. Talk about instincts. Rogers offers a strong argument for being the best back in the class. He has very quick feet for his size. He is a very decisive runner because he has such great vision and is a powerhouse runner, so if someone shows up that he missed on his read, he is not really worried about it. Rogers is going to win most one-on-one battles. I did not see him tackled one-on-one. He is one of those backs that always falls forward. Do not assume because of his size and running style that he is purely a power back. One of the things that makes Rogers so adept at winning battles against the first tackler is his subtle elusiveness. The best big backs learn that never giving a tackler a clean shot is the best way to beat them. Rogers is an excellent receiver too. A little quicker and Rogers would be at least 20 places higher on this list.

55. *** Jake Feldmeyer (6-2, 260, OL; Centerville) Feldmeyer is the next great player to come out of this storied program. The Centerville offense did a lot of damage last year running behind this outstanding lineman. Like so many linemen in the Class of 2009, Feldmeyer is a very physical player. He gets a good punch and shows great lower body strength. He locks up his man and it is over. Feldmeyer is an adept run blocker but will need to work on pass blocking as Centerville rarely throws the ball. He is a very lean 260 pounds and h moves really well. His technique is quite good for a high school player. He gets his pads underneath and moves his feet. I see a player that can get to the 290-300-pound range and still be the same kind of football player. He plays tackle in high school and has some length to his body but I think Feldmeyer will be a guard in college. He is one of the more underrated linemen in the state this year. There is no word on offers yet and he carries a 3.82 GPA.

56. *** Ricky Harris (6-3, 320, OL; Westerville South) If I was asked to pick one player on this top 100 list that has the potential to make me look like an idiot, it is Harris. On film he is a powerhouse. He runs over top of whoever is in front of him and packs a punch that often leaves opponents out of the play before it gets started. Harris shows a burst that is surprising for his size and is relentless in pursuit. I have seen him make tackles 20 yards downfield. He played offense only until his junior year and he was just as dominating there. The question now is does he end up on the offensive side of the ball or on the defensive side? I think he is better on offense. Or, I should say his body fits better on offense. When I look at Harris on film I see a top-20 talent. When I look at his body I see a player that has maxed out his frame. He can not get much bigger without impacting the speed and burst that made him a top-20 player when I first looked at him. The first number I heard was 280 pounds. I was told right after the season that GH he played last year at 300-305 pounds. The last report I received was he is now 320 pounds. At 280 pounds, Ricky Harris is back in the top-20 as a defensive lineman. Harris has an offer from Illinois and how many more he gets will likely have everything to do with how close he gets to that 280-pound mark.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 57. *** Dan Molls (6-1½, 215, LB; Padua Franciscan) Football is an ever evolving thing. Innovation is part and parcel of the game. Offenses are always looking for ways to move the ball and score. Defenses have to adapt to that and force the offensive masterminds to come up with something new. The spread offense has become a part of everyone’s offense. It is the base offense for many teams and the counter to that is the hybrid strong safety/outside linebacker. They need to be fast enough to cover but sturdy enough to play the run. I doubt many colleges know where Padua Franciscan is but they will want to get there because here is a player that fits the role perfectly. Dan Molls is as good in pass coverage as any linebacker in the class but he plays the run like a linebacker, too. He is comfortable in zone and shows he can play man coverage as well. Molls has a very good frame and I see 225-230 pounds in his future with no impact on his speed and athleticism. Like with any small school athlete, Molls will have to show well in the athlete season. If he confirms his reported 4.57 40, he will have his choice of schools. He ran a 4.68-second 40 on the slow Cleveland combine track. He carries 3.9 GPA and good genetics -- his dad and two of his uncles played Division I college football.

58. *** Zac Costlow (6-3½, 235, DE/DT; Steubenville Central Catholic) Costlow is a perfect example of how level of competition plays a role in recruiting and how important the camps and combines are. I am hearing negative things about the combines in particular these days but I am also seeing the names of players that are not as good as this kid getting kicked around. They are in high profile programs and Costlow is not playing for Division VI Steubenville Central Catholic. He is a high motor defensive end whose body likely will take him to tackle. He has the square build that is a good indicator of a player that is going to add weight and he will be able to handle it. He plays smart and is relentless and shows the speed to chase plays down outside the hash mark. Costlow’s athletic numbers are as good as any lineman in Ohio. He has a 4.72-second 40, a 28½-inch vertical and a very impressive 10-5 long jump. He is benching 330 pounds and has a 555-pound squat. Last season, Costlow had 12 tackles for loss and 10 sacks with 68 total tackles. He is already qualified with a 4.2 GPA in honors classes and a 27 on his first ACT attempt. Costlow is already planning a busy schedule in the athlete season and I think we hear a lot more about him after he has been to a few camps. He goes to a small school but a big-time player. 59. *** Henry Conway (6-7, 320, OL; Shaker Heights) Conway has raw talent and he is a late bloomer. But what an upside! He does not know how to use his hands very well and needs time in the weight room but what he can be makes him a very intriguing prospect. He has a body you can’t coach. He weighed 320 pounds at the Cleveland combine but that does not mean he is carrying too much weight. He ran a 5.29 40 at that weight. He looks just fine at whatever weight he is playing at on his film. Conway has the wingspan of an aircraft carrier. He is so raw because he has played so little football with last year his first year. He may be a right tackle but I think by the time he is ready to play he will be a guard. Someone with the depth could secure a real find in Conway.

60. *** Lamar Passmore (6-3, 190, WR; Cincinnati Sycamore) Passmore is another super athlete with size in this class. I have seen him listed as between 6-2 and 6-4 but it does not matter which number is accurate. He is the kind of big receiver with a big receiver’s game that everyone is looking to add to their lineups. Passmore has great hands and knows how to use his body. When he gets a defensive back one-on-one, it is over. He has excellent body control and field awareness. He makes the sideline catches and the fades look routine. I have not seen speed numbers for Passmore but his football speed looks to be just fine. The lack of offers tells me schools are waiting to see him up close and get a stopwatch on him before making a decision. If he runs well he will be one of the hottest commodities in Ohio this summer. 61. *** Travis Freeman (6-1, 190, LB/SS; Cleveland Glenville) When we talk about these linebacker/strong safety hybrids, we are usually talking about athletic kids – usually lined up at linebacker – that can run. They make plays with their speed. Not Travis Freeman. He definitely has the speed to play the hybrid position but he is more of a true linebacker because he is so physical taking on blockers. One of his best plays is when he takes on a lineman and stuffs him, forcing the back wider, then defeats the fullback and makes the tackle. That is a great play by a 220-pound linebacker let alone a 190-pound player. Freeman is so tough and physical that he plays fullback on offense. That might not be a big deal at lower levels but Glenville plays at the highest levels of Division I. Their regular fullback was GH 230-pound Jermil Martin, a Buckeye recruit. If he gets a little bigger, Freeman will shed the hybrid position and just be an outside linebacker. I suspect when more schools see him we will see an impressive offer list from this out-

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standing football player. Michigan State and Indiana have already offered.

62. *** Patrick Nicely (6-4, 210, QB; Willoughby South) Nicely was a starter as a freshman at quarterback and a varsity baseball pitcher. It was a tough year for him as a junior with a number of new starters at key positions. There is no question about his physical tools. His numbers from the Cleveland combine definitely got my attention. He came in a legit 6-4 and ran a 4.67-second 40. Those are the kinds of numbers that are going to get him a look just as an athlete. He added a 29-inch vertical and an impressive 4.56 shuttle. I got this from an opposing coach, “Pat Nicely is a big, strong, physical kid who has lots of the attributes that you look for in a big time quarterback. He is just about 6-5 and has a very smooth over the top throwing motion. “It is difficult to block his passes or disrupt him as a passer because of his good mechanics and the fact that he moves very well from within the pocket and outside of it. (Nicely) throws a very catchable ball, with great touch on the deep ball and the ability to put some smoke on a 20-yard dig route. “He struggled some during his junior year but so much of it had to do with a young and inexperienced offensive line. Some of it may have also been being under center a good deal more than he has in the past.” If he performs like this coach thinks he can in camps this athlete season, this ranking is way too low. 63. *** Pat McFall (6-3, 225, OLB/DE; Youngstown Boardman) McFall came to my attention first as a tight end. I don’t know McFall did not play any defense that night or if my associate was just not paying attention that night but how he could not have noticed how good a linebacker McFall is beyond me. He is a good tight end but he is on this list as a linebacker. We see middle linebackers in this class and we see a good number of the hybrid linebacker/strong safeties. But the true 4-3 outside linebackers are scarce. McFall is one of them. I think he is the only true strong side linebacker in the class. He plays a lot of strong side in high school and it is obvious why he does. McFall is strong at the point of attack but he can play in space. SP He is asked to cover slot receivers at times and is at his best when he attacks off the edge. He could be an ideal 3-4 stand-up defensive end or with his frame he could possibility grow into a 4-3 defensive end.

64. *** Jamaal Ali (6-1, 220, OLB/DE; Garfield Heights) When you take a look at the film of No. 1 ranked player Melvin Fellows, look at the other end of the line. You will see an awfully fine player in his own right in Jamaal Ali. Any other year, Ali is the player recruiters are coming to Garfield Heights to talk about. Ali is the one playing the glamour position of weak side defensive end. He has a great first step and is relentless in pursuit. He gets off blockers well and shows outstanding closing speed. Ali is not just a rush end. He is strong against the run and shows good football sense. He is a great looking athlete and if Ali were just a little taller he would be about 20 places higher on this list. Outside linebacker is a possibility but his best position would be as a standup defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. If he runs well in the athlete season he could open up his recruiting options as most schools run a 4-3.

65. *** Roman Lawson (6-0, 215, LB; Shaker Heights) Lawson has grown on me. I knew he was going to be a top-100 player but when I first looked at him I did not think he was going to be a player just outside the top 50 like I have him right now. On first blush, I said Lawson was a player with good straight ahead speed and could be a better fullback prospect. When I took time to break it down, I see a really smart player. He makes really good reads as a linebacker and is very physical. He attacks the hole like a linebacker should and is one of the better linebackers in the state as a pass defender. Lawson shows more agility and a better burst as a running back than I first thought. He changes direction very well and is tough to bring down. If he can run his listed 4.55second 40 this is ranking is way too low. 66. *** Ben Moody (6-2, 175, ATH; Cortland Lakeview) Ben Moody is a long lean high school running back with an explosive turn of speed. But I can see him making a move to receiver. He ran a 14.72-second in the 110-meter high hurdles as a sophomore. Let’s keep in mind that the last couple of elite hurdlers from Ohio are now household names – including a pair of Ohio State receivers in Ted Ginn Jr. and Brian Hartline. Moody put up a 9-10 broad jump at the Cleveland combine and that is a good measure of explosion. There is no question Moody brings that to the table. If he shows he can catch the ball he is going to be a hot commodity this summer. There is no such thing as too much speed SP and Moody has a great body. Defense is always a possibility with a player who has good size and outstanding speed but this kid is something with the ball in his hands. Moody is not just fast – he is also quick and elusive.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 67. *** Maalik Bomar (6-2, 185, LB; Cincinnati Winton Woods) When I first took a look at Bomar’s film I thought I was looking at another undersized linebacker that looks good because he is athletic and being put in a position to make play where he is running around with no blocker in front of him Everyone has a package for players like that at the high school and college level but that all changed when I got to a section of film where Bomar was not running free. The downside of the undersized outside linebackers is they are vulnerable to being run at. Bomar showed he is not so vulnerable to that strategy. I saw him stand up a number of blockers and I am not just talking about backs. He was stepping in and taking on linemen. He showed no hesitation and really stood up some really big players and then made the play. Bomar can fill out some more but is not going to get a lot bigger. From what I can see it is not going to matter. He brings it on every play. Bomar is a high motor player with good instincts and outstanding speed. Size is going to be the only question. He has an offer from Toledo. 68. ** Luke Kuechly (6-3, 215, LB; Cincinnati St. Xavier) I was looking at a St. Xavier game tape from 2008 because I wanted to get a good look at outstanding St. Xavier linebacker who was a senior in the 2008 class, Fred Craig. I was really impressed with the player I was looking at and I did not recall that he was as tall and rangy as I remembered from 2007. I remembered that Craig was a single digit number playing linebacker and so is Kuechly. He was the player I was looking at. Kuechly is a bigger player and more athletic but his game is very similar to Craig’s, a Stanford recruit. Both have top drawer instincts. Both can run really well and both play with good discipline. Kuechly had an impressive 143 tackles and six sacks against a level of competition that nobody can question. He has offers from Stanford, North Carolina State, Miami (Ohio), Louisville and Cincinnati at this early stage.

69. ** Jamon Wagner (6-2, 190, S/LB; Youngstown Liberty) Despite having to share the spotlight with a stacked lineup, Wagner stands out. The more I look at Wagner the better I like him. He has a great frame. I can see another 20 pounds on him. He is physical enough to play at the line of scrimmage but quick enough to play corner. He lines up on slot receivers and seems very comfortable there. He sits in the zone and plays disciplined football but does not look out of place when asked to play man coverage. One of the more impressive plays on his film is when he drops into his assigned zone and leaves his man to get in the passing lane and gets a hand on a pass intended for the receiver that stayed in his zone. Everyone is looking for the hybrid linebacker/strong safeties these days. The ability to cover and a comfort level in coverage is usually the litmus test. Here is one that looks like he is going to pass the test.

70. ** John Taylor (6-5, 260, ATH; North Olmsted) When I have presented Taylor to others the response is always the same – needs a lot of work but what a specimen to work with. Taylor is a work in progress with one of the best bodies in the Class of 2009. He has the kind of frame that is going to draw everyone’s attention. I don’t know if there is one position where he stands out but if the call was given to me I say tight end. He carries his 260 pounds very well. I think he can add 20 more and still be a tight end, especially in the Big Ten region where there are bigger tight ends. I think Taylor could be an excellent in-line blocker. He plays tight end in high school so I get an opportunity to see him play there. He can catch the ball and with more reps I think he could be a very effective classic tight end. Taylor also plays defensive end but I don’t think he can be a college defensive end. If he is a defensive player I think he will be a tackle. The good thing about him is the worst case scenario is he adds enough weight that he needs to move down to the offensive line. 71. ** Zakee Bashir (6-2; 210; OLB/DE; Columbus Walnut Ridge) When I first saw Bashir, I thought I was looking at a much bigger player. He looks so long. I don’t know if I have ever seen a player with this kind of length. I am certain I have not seen it on a player that was in the 6-1 to 6-2 range. Bashir plays as a defensive end in the Walnut Ridge scheme. Usually defensive ends in a 4-3 are taller than Bashir but length has everything to do with the desire for tall players, not to mention taller usually means more athletic. There is no question about Bashir’s athleticism and can he ever run. His teammate, Brandon Rice, is one of the fastest football players in the state. He breaks a long run and he player running right GH beside him stride for stride is Zakee Bashir. He has room to add more weight. Maybe with his reach he could be a 4-3 defensive end but I think his best position would be as a 3-4 standup defensive end.

72. ** Victor Rodriguez (6-2, 220, LB/DE; Columbus Eastmoor Academy) To my disappointment, it is not a great time for the Columbus City League as far as football is concerned. We are not seeing the number of players coming out of there like we were just five years or so ago. But Rodriguez is one that really stands out. He has a great frame and looks more like 6-4. Rodriguez looks more like a defensive

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end. When I first heard about him, that position is where my associate projected him. But I don’t see a defensive end in Rodriguez. I see an old fashioned middle linebacker, his current position. He has good range and is a solid tackler. He seems comfortable in a pass defense role – something that is a really big plus in this day and age. He gets a good drop, locates possible receivers in his zone and reads the field well. 73. ** RonCarlos Hilton (5-11, 185, SS; Youngstown East) Hilton is one of my favorite players in this class. He is an undersized playmaker at safety but Hilton plays the ball and the run equally well. He definitely belongs in the conversation about the best hitters in the class. He is a natural strong safety, and I know he is not the size everyone is looking for in this day and age of small linebacker sized strong safeties, but when I watch Hilton one word comes to mind – “playmaker.” Against the run and against the pass, not to mention on special teams, Hilton makes plays. He is a playmaker on offense as a receiver, but defense is why he is in this top 100. If I were on a college coaching staff, I would bring Hilton in and see if he can cover. I know he has ball skills and he makes plays on the ball as a safety and catches everything thrown his way as a receiver. Hilton could be a real steal for someone. 74. ** Sylvestry Gibbs (6-0, 170, RB; Austintown-Fitch) Gibbs is one of my mystery players this year. I am surprised we are not hearing more about him. He is an explosive player and has that “suddenness.” He hits the hole like he has been shot out of a cannon. He shows good vision and has a slashing style and runs with reckless abandon. When I speak with others that have seen him, one thing they point out is size. He is legit 6-0 and I need to see the scale to believe he is only his listed 170 pounds. If he told me he was 190, I would believe him. If he isn’t big enough to be a running back he is big enough to be a corner. He catches the ball as well as any back in the class, so a move to receiver is not out of the question. I think he can get bigger.

75. ** Sam Longo (6-5 260, OL/DT; Bellbrook) I would put a star or something beside Longo’s name if I could – something to note that this is a player to watch during the athlete season. If you want to talk about great frames, Longo is one of the first names out of my mouth when the subject comes up. He has a long body and long limbs. He will weigh 300 pounds even if he was not trying to weigh 300 pounds. He has really good feet and plays nasty. The athlete season is so crucial to him. Longo showed toughness playing with his hand in a cast for a number of games this year. He also plays defensive end but he will outgrow that position but NF a player this athletic might get a look at defensive tackle. His father was an Ohio State linebacker. He has early offers on the table from Florida State, Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green. That list could get a lot longer if he does what I think he is can when the combines and camps start.

76. ** Ryan O’Rourke (6-2, 190, QB; Avon) O’Rourke is my nominee for the player who will not get the offers he deserves. Lack of ideal size is the only thing keeping him out of the top 50. I have railed against the quarterback recruiting template for years and I have no intention of stopping until someone offers an argument as to why quarterbacks have to be tall. One big advantage for him is the offense Avon runs. He is in a basic pro set most of the time. O’Rourke has had to learn to read defenses and he spreads the ball all over the field. He can make any throw, has great touch and his accuracy is uncanny. He shows poise, a Division I arm and good mechanics. O’Rourke is mobile enough to be a problem once he breaks the pocket. Simply put, Ryan O’Rourke is the most ready to play quarterback in the class. Someone is going to get a steal as so many are not going to give him the good look he deserves.

77. ** Brandon Rice (5-9, 180, RB; Columbus Walnut Ridge) We have discussions about small backs regularly. Which side of that argument I am on is not in question but the definition of a small back is. I do not have a problem with a back’s size but I do have a problem with backs that cannot run between the tackles. Small back is the term we use because the backs that cannot run between the tackles are the smaller. That is why Rice is on this top 100 – he is a between the tackles runner. I counted a grand total of four plays where Rice went outside the tackles on his entire film. Three were designed and the other he ran to daylight. He is like the last smaller back that I really liked, Michigan GH State’s Javon Ringer, in the fact that he is so elusive in tight quar-

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Duane Long’s Top 100 ters. He never gives the defense a clean shot at him. Rice is a tough runner, too. He runs over his share of tacklers and breaks tackles.

78. ** Dillon Voss (6-1, 220, LB; Garfield Heights) Under head coach Charles Reisland, Garfield Heights has regularly put out Division I talent but this year is the mother-load with three top 100 players. Voss runs very well and does a great job of keeping himself clean. The importance of that cannot be emphasized enough. It means a linebacker is reading and reacting at another level and that allows him to not be slowed down by blockers. He has very good range and does not look out of place in pass coverage. When I first saw Voss, I thought he might not be big enough to play inside as a college player but I think it is his best position. Now that I get a better look at his body, I think he can carry another 20 pounds. Voss is an outstanding student, too. Smarts are a much underappreciated aspect of recruiting as far as I’m concerned. The NFL has the Wunderlich test and colleges tend to follow the lead of the NFL in most things but have not done so with this kind of testing.

79. ** Dante Marsh (5-11, 185, RB, Warren Howland) Marsh is a tremendously skilled runner. I would argue that he brings runner skills to the table that are the equal of any back in the class. He has great vision, elusive and so smooth he makes running look effortless. It even looks like he is not running hard, but rather, it looks like he is gliding. He is not a powerful runner but his quick feet and superior balance have him stepping out of a lot of tackles. Tacklers have to hit him square and solid to bring him down. Marsh is an absolutely fearless runner. He is as effective inside as he is outside and uses his off hand well to fend off tacklers. He slaps hands away that are reaching for him. It is such an effective but not often used technique that can throw a tackler off balance. GH He has a reported 4.5 40 and I cannot confirm that but his football speed is not something I have a question about – but his size is. He is 5-11 to 6-0 but has a slight build. It may force a move to receiver in college. 80. ** Blake Fraley (6-3, 205, LB; Hilliard Darby) It used to be that we saw the Division I talent coming out of Hilliard Davidson. Now, it seems that Hilliard Darby under head coach Paul Jenne is putting a player in the Ohio High top 100 every year. Watching outstanding 2008 linebacker prospect B.J. Machen last year, it was easy to see he was not alone. He teamed with outstanding junior Blake Fraley to form one of the better linebacker corps in the state. Fraley reminds me a lot of Cincinnati St. Xavier linebacker Fred Craig from last year, who will play at Stanford next year. Fraley finds the ball quickly and gets there quickly. He always seems to be around the ball. I see a better frame on Fraley than Craig, though. He will fill out into a 230-pound player by the time he is ready to hit a college football field. . How well he runs this athlete season will say who comes in with offers.

81. ** Mark Hilty (6-4, 235, DT; Olentangy Liberty) It is beyond me how this kid is not on the radar. He leaps off the film. Hilty has a body that is as close to perfection as you can get for a defensive tackle. He is a high school defensive end but will move down at the college level. He is square and lean as he could be. Any leaner and he would need to add weight. He is so raw and does not use any moves. He bull rushes every play. When I say he bull rushes, I mean bull in a china shop. There is no subtlety to his game. He plays the game with such intensity. Instead of lighting a fire like coaches have to do with so many big kids, Hilty may have to be calmed down. He is so quick and explosive out of his stance that once he learns to hit gaps he will beat opposing linemen off the snap. His closing speed is something opposing ball carriers are not ready for. Hilty has the length of a defensive end and has very long arms, but I think he will fill out into a defensive tackle in college. Playing in a 3-4 as a down lineman is another possibility. That is what he plays in high school. He could fit nicely into that position in college. Level of competition is not in question. There is a class full of big kids with great bodies. Line them up without name tags and Hilty is the one you would probably pick. Hilty is already qualified academically.

82. ** Dwayne Woods (6-0, 200, LB; Cincinnati Princeton) Here is the leading candidate for best hitter in the Class of 2009. Woods just punishes ball carriers and blockers alike. He is clearly the best pass defense linebacker in the class. He drops into coverage as naturally as a good defensive back does. He steps into passing lanes and makes interceptions. That is what puts him in this top 100. Woods” natural position is middle linebacker. He was born to play the position. He reads quickly then attacks the hole with the recklessness you want to see in a middle linebacker. He is just not close to being Division I middle linebacker size. His pass coverage ability means he has a chance to make it as an outside linebacker. Purely on football skills, Dwayne Woods is one of the best football players in Ohio. Two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, Woods would be a top 20 player.

83. ** Lamar Ross (6-1, 190, SS/OLB; Columbus Walnut Ridge) It is a great year to visit Ohio for any college coach looking for the hybrid players. Ross

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is another than fits the profile. He plays in the box a lot and covers enough. He plays at linebacker but he is shows good coverage skills. He has really good instincts and gets in the passing lanes. Sometimes he is asked to line up over a slot receiver. He does a good job in press coverage when asked to do so. Where Ross really excels is attacking off the edge. He doesn’t just use his speed. Ross is a tough minded kid and will stand in there and take on blockers. He shows the kind of speed that makes him viable as a true safety but he has a long lean build that suggests he might fill out into a true outside linebacker. As impressed with him as I am with his play at the line of scrimmage, I think his natural pass defense skills make him a safety in college. 84. ** Jason Pinkston (6-2, 170, DB; Cleveland Benedictine) There are a number of other good high school football players on the Benedictine roster and they are getting more publicity. But Pinkston is the best college prospect of the lot. This team has the kind of talent that a coach like Art Bortnick can make a run at the state title again with. He can take Pinkston and line him up one-on-one against the opponent’s best receiver and not have to worry about him. He is one of those players that always seems to be around the ball. He doesn’t have to take a backseat to any defensive back in the state on ball skills. He gets his hands on the football a lot. He also has that uncanny ability to find the ball when it is on the ground. His body will tell where he plays in college. He is likely to get bigger and could end up at free safety.

85. ** Randy Greenwood (5-11, 175, ATH; Mentor Lake Catholic) Greenwood is a poor man’s Danny McCarthy of Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. In fact, Greenwood first came to my attention from running down the Notre Dame recruit from behind in a game last year. He is a good running back but where Greenwood gets his offers will be as a defensive back. He is a good offensive player but a great defensive player. If he runs well this spring and summer, and I think he will, Greenwood becomes a rising star. He is off to a good start with a 4.51-second 40, a 9-5 broad jump and 34-inch vertical at the Cleveland combine. Those are really good numbers. He will need to do more of that as most of his film is as a runSP ning back. What we do see of him as a defensive back shows a player with good cover skills and one that can really run. Getting into the athlete season and drilling as a cornerback is really going to help his stock.

86. ** Anthony Talbert (6-5, 220, TE/DE; Cincinnati Winton Woods) Talbert was not what I expected but that is not a bad thing. I did not see him until recently. I thought he was going to be a defensive end. There is, in fact, no defensive line play on the film. Not one play. It is all Talbert as a tight end. I do not even know if he played any defense. An athlete of this caliber would have made some impact plays on defense if he played. As a tight end, I like what I see very much. He is an old school tight end. Everyone wants the field stretchers, the tight ends like NFL ends Kellen Winslow and Jeremy Shockey. Talbert is more like Ohio State recruit Nic DiLillo from last year. He is a chain mover and a safety valve. Talbert sits in the underneath zones and helps his quarterback get out of trouble. He looks athletic enough that he could create problems for the defense if he were called on to do so. Talbert is also an outstanding blocker. I thought DiLillo was the best blocker of the outstanding tight end class of 2008 and Talbert is at least that good. A good showing in the athlete season moves him up this list in the next issue. Talbert is also an outstanding student. 87. ** Julius Ferrell (6-1, 245, LB/DE; Youngstown Liberty) Sometimes I think about putting together a list of the best players in the state just for the fun of it. Take the bodies and the athleticism out of it and just look at what they do on the football field. If I did that Julius Ferrell would be one of the top five players in the state. He is a highly skilled football player. He is as complete a linebacker as there is in the state. He is as good in coverage as he is at the line of scrimmage. Ferrell is as physical as any player in the class. He is just an outstanding football player. Ferrell’s body is going to tell how heavily he is recruited. Right now, he reminds me of a former Ohio State player Darrion Scott, who arrived at Ohio State as a linebacker but entered the NFL as a defensive tackle. I think Ferrell follows a similar path. If he were 6-4 and 220 pounds, he would be a top-20 player, at least.

88. ** Mordecai Cargill (6-1, 210, RB; Hunting Valley University School) It would not be the Ohio High top 100 without a player from University School. It has been an annual occurrence under University head coach Jim Stephens. I just saw this big back right before we went to press. I am sure Cargill is his listed 6-1 but he actually looks taller than that, and he is the leanest 210 pounds you will ever see.

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Duane Long’s Top 100 He is going to be a 225-230-pound kid by the time he hits a college football field. He runs like a big back should but also shows agility in tight spaces and makes himself difficult to get a square hit on. He has that one instinct that is most important to a big back – he gets north and south quickly. He is really fast for a big guy, so fast that he returns kicks. He is still raw and I think he has one of the better upsides in this class. Level of competition is always a question with University School athletes, as is publicity. They don’t always appear on the radar as early as some but after camps they usually come up with nice offer lists. I suspect it will be that way with Cargill. This is a player I will be keeping a close eye on. I would not be surprised to see him be a rising star this summer. 89. ** Jack Dawson (6-2, 200, QB; North Lima South Range) Jack Dawson is the most athletic of the top quarterbacks in Ohio. As a runner with 4.55-second 40 speed, he is a weapon. The quarterback draw is part of the offense and part of any defensive game plan against North Lima South Range would have to include some plan to keep him in the pocket. One play early in his highlight film says it all about Dawson. He pitches out to his running back, who then turns the corner. Dawson chases the play, catches up with the back and eventually passes him and throws the block that leads him into the end zone. I think Dawson can be a Division I quarterback. He has a good arm and is in charge back there but I think he could play as a safety or even a receiver should he not pan out as a quarterback. Dawson will need to camp to make a name for himself, as small school quarterbacks always seem to.

90. ** Nate Klatt (6-4, 270, C; Canal Fulton Northwest) Klatt is a brutally effective brawler in tight spaces. You will find more athletic linemen but I doubt you will find one that grades higher. We talk about athleticism with lineman and we talk about frames. What stands out about Klatt is the number of battles that he wins. When you get right to the heart of the matter – that is what this is all about. Klatt does have a good frame and he can add some weight. We talk about football being a game of inches. A lineman holding his block for that extra split second can mean the difference between no gain and a touchdown, so tenacity from a lineman is a big plus. Klatt has tenacity to spare. Natural centers are hard to find, especially ones like Klatt that have experience snapping both from under center and from the shotgun. He has offers from Akron, Indiana and Bowling Green and Ohio State has been in to take a look at him. 91. ** Tommie McBride (6-1, 205, LB; Cincinnati Taft) McBride is the best kept secret in Ohio and the reason is his size. He is not going to be Division I defensive lineman sized in college. The reason he is in this top 100 despite not passing the size test is he is not going to be a defensive lineman next year. He is going to be at his natural linebacker position. Taft head coach Michael Martin says McBride can run a 4.5 40 and after seeing him on tape I would not be surprised if he can run a 4.5. He comes off the ball like someone has shot him out of a cannon. He runs down ball carriers like they are standing still and has a motor that won’t quit. McBride has a body that can carry 235-240 pounds, unlike most of the other linebackers his size in the state this year. College coaches will be stopping by to take a look at Carridine but they need to watch out for Tommy McBride. He could be one of the hottest players in Ohio for the Class of 2009 if he shows what I think he is capable of as a linebacker. If he makes the transition to linebacker smoothly he will be ranked a lot higher in the season ending issue of Ohio High.

92. ** Ryan Cheek (6-1, 225, LB; Lancaster) I was not sure about Cheek when I first saw him. I went back and took another look and just focused on the defensive side of the ball. That is when the light came on. Cheek is a really good inside linebacker. He is one of the few in the Class of 2009 with the tools and the size to play inside at the Division I level. He attacks downhill, gets off blocks well and is a very good tackler. His numbers for his junior year tell the story on that with over 90 tackles and a very impressive 21 tackles for loss. He is a player that shows the ability to stay on the field during passing downs. Maryland and Cincinnati have already offered and if he runs anywhere close to his listed 4.51-second 40 this summer, those offers will be the first of many. 93. ** Zach Murray (6-2, 230, LB; Avon Lake) Murray is one of my favorite players in this class and I think he is getting overlooked because of his success. He is one of the best defensive ends in Ohio regardless of class but lacks the size to be a college defensive end. Because he is such a good pass rusher, I think he has been locked into his high school position which is a down end in a 4-3. I am looking at Murray as a linebacker having the size to play any linebacker position. He is very strong at the point of attack and stones blockers with his strength and explosion. He gets off blockers very well and then you see the one thing that makes me think he could be a great linebacker – his closing speed is top drawer. I noticed how many runners checked up when Murray was chasing them. They knew they were not going to beat him to the corner.

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Relentless is another attribute Murray has to spare. He could be a standup defensive end in a 3-4, too.

94.* Danny Gress (6-0, 205, LB; Clayton Northmont) I have watched Danny Gress film more than any player outside of the top 50. He is arguably the best linebacker in the class. Nobody has better instincts. He is fast, has a motor that won’t quit, is a great tackler and no linebacker in Ohio makes more plays in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage than Danny Gress. If he were bigger he would be a top-25 player. He is just not the kind of athlete that we are seeing in the hybrid players. I don’t see a player that can play anywhere but where the position he plays in high school – middle linebacker – and I don’t see a player that can get much bigger than about 225 pounds. A name comes to my mind, Zac Thomas. I hope someone gives Gress the opportunity to fail.

95. * Trae Tiller (6-2, 235, DE/DT; Canal Winchester Harvest Prep) Tiller only played four games due to injury but racked up an amazing 11 sacks, including a seven-sack game. He is as good a pass rusher as there is in the state. He is more technically sound than most, as he uses moves instead of just raw physical tools and he uses an inside move to deadly effect. Tiller’s body is why he is not ranked higher. I think he will be a tackle by the time he takes the field in college. He does have the square build that will allow him to make the transition more effectively than most high school defensive ends that are forced to move inside to tackle. Tiller runs really well and has the motor. I suspect that he will adjust well to the move down. Size is the only reason he is not in the top 50. Grades should not be a problem.

96. * Andrew Holland (6-1, 190, QB; Cleveland St. Ignatius) Level of competition means a great deal in recruiting and at no position is it more important than at quarterback. The vast majority of quarterbacks recruited in Ohio are from Division I and Division II. Holland takes that to another level. He will be a two year starter at St. Ignatius. That does not happen but once in a while at this quarterback factory. Considering St. Ignatius’ schedule, I doubt we have seen a quarterback play in more big games and at a higher level of competition than Holland will have played by the time he is finished. Holland has a riverboat gambler style of play. He is going to take risks but his accuracy is impressive. He had 14 touchdown SP passes to four interceptions last year. He missed some time due to injury. He is not athletic enough to play anywhere else but is a good enough runner to be a major headache to defensive coordinators and will take off whenever he sees the opportunity. His size keeps him from being further up this list.

97. * Jeremy Johnson (6-4, 310, OL; Springfield) I have been a fan of Johnson’s for a couple of years now. He is a natural wide body. You are not going to see a lot of kids that can carry 310 pounds as well as Johnson and he can get bigger. He has really good feet and does a good job with pass blocking. He is playing left tackle now but I think he will be a guard in college. Johnson is a diamond in the rough. He needs time in the weight room, needs to work on his technique and needs to learn to use his hands better. A school that has the depth to take a chance on a player that needs a couple of years to find his game would do themselves a favor by getting over to the new Springfield high school and taking a look at Johnson. 98. * Ben Bertsch (6-3, 250, DT; Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary) About a third of the way through Bertsch’s tape, I saw the most amazing play. Bertsch was left unblocked, and considering how often he was running around in the backfield leading up to that point, it was just astounding that it would seem he was deliberately unblocked. He plays as much defensive end as he does tackle in the St. Vincent-St. Mary defense but his body says he will be a defensive tackle in college. Size is the only reason he is not higher on this list and I don’t know how much bigger he will get. He does a great job of beating blocks before they get to him, and even when they do, Bertsch does a great job of getting off those blocks. He is a rock at the point of attack but also is a relentless pursuer. He is a very good pass rusher from either defensive tackle or defense end.

99. * Steve Hull (6-1, 190, S; Cincinnati Sycamore) I had the opportunity to see a lot of Cincinnati Sycamore tape this year with running back Bud Golden and receiver Lamar Passmore being top players in the class but another player always seemed to catch my attention. In game films, Steve Hull was always doing something. He is a playmaker on both sides of the ball. As a receiver he reminds me of Ohio State wide receiver Brain Hartline. He has the

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Duane Long’s Top 100 same build – maybe not as tall but close enough – and very lean. Like Hartline, he has great hands and will go up and make plays on the ball over top of defenders. Hull is a great leaper, he is fearless making plays in traffic and he is a great blocking receiver. I don’t know if he is going to light up the stopwatches but his speed with a helmet and shoulder pads on looks good. As good as Hull is as a receiver I think he is even better as a free safety. No safety in the class reads the game as well as Hull does. It is easy to get focused on Golden and Passmore but this Sycamore kid is a Division I player, too.

100. * Kyle Stadelmyer (6-2, 200, LB; Girard) Stadelmyer was a feature back and that is what Stadelmyer is better known for but defense is where he is going to play in college. His numbers speak for themselves. He had over 60 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Stadelmyer is one of those players that is going to need to get to camps to start drawing the attention he needs to get offers. He should do very well. His numbers from a combine in Pittsburgh show an athlete worth taking a look at. He ran a 4.4 40 to go with a 4.2 shuttle and a 33-inch vertical. He also put up 12 reps of 185. Stadelmyer also participated in the U.S. Army All-American Combine in San Antonio in January. GH Athleticism is so important to this process. There are players higher on this list that would like to put that athlete resume on the table. Girard is just not a regular stop on the recruiting trail. Zack Domicone of Beavercreek ended up with offers from Ohio State and Oklahoma. I see the same kind of player in Stadelmyer. 101. * Terrence Owens (6-2, 160, QB; Cleveland Glenville) Owens is a long lean southpaw. He is a raw talent, a lot like Arvelle Nelson from Glenville a few years ago Owens will likely be a higher rated quarterback after his senior year seeing as how his junior year was his first as a starter. Most quarterbacks see their biggest improvement from their first year as a starter and their second. Owens moves well and throws on the run awfully well. He does a great job with the underneath game. He delivers the ball accurately, with good touch and enough velocity. Owens is reed thin. He will likely need to redshirt to add weight. He will not make it through his first season intact with his current body. We will see GH what kind of leader he is and how tough he is as the Glenville receiving corps will be a young lot and his go-to guy, Cordale Scott, was a senior. Also, there is no big time back to hand the ball off to. Owens will be counted on to make it the Glenville offense go.

102. * Adam Schneid (6-4, 265, OL; Avon Lake) Avon Lake had a tell this year. Look for No. 73. They were going to do a lot of running behind Schneid. He is one of the better offensive linemen in the state this year. He plays left tackle and his forte is run-blocking and he has the kind of body that will take him down to guard at the college level. Schneid has a great looking body. He is a well put together 265 pounds and will not have a problem carrying 300 pounds without impacting his athleticism and quickness. He has some respectable numbers with a 315-pound bench and 22 reps of 185 but needs time in the weight room. But that is the last thing college coaches worry about. They

The Next Wave... QUARTERBACKS

Zach Toerner (6-4, 210lbs; Badin) Good size and a great touch passer.

Bo Cordell (6-2, 200lbs; Cincinnati Indian Hills) One of the most productive quarterbacks in Ohio.

Neal Seaman (6-1, 190; Louisville) One of a number of quality quarterbacks in Ohio who will get overlooked because he lacks ideal measurables. Led team to D-II state final last year.

Jon Mason (6-4, 200; West Milton Milton-Union) Haven’t seen enough to say yet but from what I am hearing I want to see more. Led Bulldogs back to playoffs after loss of standout QB Mitchell Evans (Indiana).

Alexander Pidcock (6-2, 216; Sylvania Southview) Tough, strong, a real gamer and throws a most catchable ball.

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know they can make players bigger and they would rather have a leaner body like Schneid’s to build on. His agility numbers are what stands out. He has a solid 5.2 40 and a 4.81 shuttle to go with a 25-inch vertical and an 8-5 broad jump. 103. * Tyler Johns (6-5, 250, OL; Waynesfield-Goshen) Right now, Johns is a better defensive tackle than he is an offensive tackle but he is in this top 100 because of what he can be in time. He can be a fine offensive tackle 50 pounds from now. He moves so well that he looks almost graceful. He has such a great frame, is a solid 250 pounds and is V-shaped. He plays offense right now, too, but he is just better on defense. I think he can be a really fine pass protector with his agility and good hands. He has a lot to learn but most high school linemen need to anyway. He will need someone that can sit him for a few years to add weight and strength but the frame and the good feet are things that you can’t coach. Level of competition is going to be suspect playing in Division VI, so he needs to have a busy schedule in the spring and summer at camps and combines.

104. * Jamil Jarvey (5-9, 160, WR; Painesville Harvey) Despite the presence of one of the elite prospects in the state for the Class of 2009 in No. 6 ranked Chris Fields, Jamil Jarvey does not have a problem grabbing your attention. Opposing defensive coordinators cannot focus on superstar Chris Fields over on the other side of the field. If they do, Jarvey will gut the defense. He amazes me in the fact that despite his size, he could not be more at home in the middle of the field. He catches everything thrown his way, and after the catch tracking him down is just about as difficult as getting a hand on Fields. Size is a big question mark. He is listed at 5-9 but I think he is probably 5-8 or less. I will always prefer size in a receiver but for the role a player like Jarvey would be asked to play, I don’t think it is a must. I see it as an extra. He is already adept at the underneath game where slot receivers make their living, and he can return kicks.

105.* Alex Jones (6-9, 325, OL; Sandusky) I have been doing this for awhile now and seeing players that are legitimately 6-6 and 300 pounds has become old hat. Every now and then there is a player that just leaps out at me with his size and Alex Jones is just a massive kid. He is one of the biggest football players I have ever seen. He is every bit his listed 6-9, 325 pounds but he is not fat at all. I doubt he could under 300-310 pounds no matter how hard he tried. He looks like he plays high but he has no choice but to play high. He is a pretty nimble kid. I saw him have to jump over a fallen opponent and he did it pretty gracefully. He plays right tackle but will move inside at the college level. Pittsburgh took a shot at Chase Clowser, another player that just leaped off the screen at me a few years ago, and Jones is more athletic than Clowser. 106. * Josh Jones (6-3, 200, WR; Cincinnati Elder) I have not seen as much of Jones as I would like as tape has been hard to come by but from what little I have seen I was impressed enough to include him in the top 100. I think if I had seen more he would be higher on this list. Jones is a very athletic receiver with good size. He had 38 catches for 601 yards and six touchdowns on the season. The teams Jones put those numbers up against is not going to be in question. That is quite an accomplishment with a starting quarterback injured and not being the go to receiver. Jones has an early offer from Cincinnati and is getting attention from Boston College but I think a good athlete season, one where he puts up a good 40-yard time, will add any number of additional offers to his list.

RUNNING BACKS

Marquis Harrell (6-0, 200; Avon) No player has a chance to move up more than Marquis Harrell. Shows great vision and good instincts. Makes quick decisions and is explosive to the hole. Marquel Smith (5-9, 205; Youngstown Chaney) Short, not small. Can run between the tackles well. Breaks tackles and has excellent feet. Shows excellent vision and reads his blocking well. Father played RB at Youngstown State.

Kevin Ringer (5-10, 185; Clayton Northmont) More people that I respect have asked me why Ringer is not in the top 100 than any player on this list. Nephew of Michigahn State stadnotu Javon Ringer.

Damien Jarrett (5-9, 175; Boardman) Size is the only thing keeping this talented and polished runner out of the top 100.

Kevin Obye (5-10, 185; Watterson) Quick footed back with excellent acceleration, who runs well between the tackles and is an excellent receiver. Monterae Williams (5-9, 175; Canton McKinley) Quick footed tough minded back who runs bigger than his size. Harvey Tuck (5-10, 220; Akron St.-Vincent St. Mary) Big back that could get a look as a FB.

Joe Nagle (6-0, 180; Newbury) Speed and great runner instincts.

Allen Owens (6-0, 185; Cleveland Heights) Missed a lot of time due to injury. Gets north-south quickly. Very good receiver. Eric Jordan (6-0, 190; Sandusky) A step quicker or a little bigger and he is a top 100 player.

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Duane Long’s Top 100

Zach Toerner

Neal Seaman

Jon Mason

Josh Slemker (6-1, 195 Eaton) Quick as well as fast and always seems to make the first tackler miss.

Jelani Alford ( 5-9, 165; Cincinnati Withrow) Has great speed and can hurt a defense from all over the field with the ball. Colleges will have to figure out where to play him.

Allen Eggleston (5-9, 180; Olentangy Liberty) Skillset and speed second to none. Absolutely fearless. Size keeps him out of the top 100. Mark Mays (5-8, 175; Clayton Northmont) Can run with the best of them. Could be a better corner. Could have a break-out year defensively oopposte Ohio State commit C.J. Barnett.

Zach Boren (6-0, 240; Pickerington Central) Boren is impressive with the ball in his hands. He could be the next great fullback out of Ohio. Powerful linebacker with good instincts but I think he fits best as a fullback. Has been offered by Ohio State. Dan Banna (5-10, 220; Canfield) Puts on a show with the ball in his hands and is also a great lead blocker. Will get a chance to show scouts his stuff as a middle linebacker this season.

Luke Franken (5-10, 220; Canfield) If you are looking for a blue collar fullback, this may be your pick.

Mike Marrow (6-2, 230; New Albany) Marrow played well as a junior and looks like he could be a FB at the next level.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Zach Burks (6-3, 175; Springfield) Super athletic player forced to play quarterback. He could make someone a fine receiver in time.

Justin Chappell (5-11, 185; University School) If he shows speed this summer his stock will improve. Very skilled player, especially as a receiver.

Tony Harris (5-11, 165; Cincinnati Moeller) Highly skilled player that could make a name with himself with a strong athlete season. A good forty time could make him a hot commodity. Dee Brizzolara (6-0, 170; Aurora) Two inches taller and a step quicker, Brizzolara would be getting Brian Hartline comparisons. Makes difficult catches look routine.

Jeff Duckworth (6-0, 195; Princeton) A good forty time from being a top 100 player. Makes a lot of plays. Joey Parris (6-1, 175; Cleveland St. Ignatius) Good possession receiver with hands.

Connor Ryan (6-0, 165; Cleveland St. Ignatius) Picked up and early offer from Ball State. With a big senior year more offers will be on the way.

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Kevin Ringer

Damien Jarrett

Kevin Obye

Brandon Mathie (6-2, 175; Louisville) Good size, great hands, athletic and a playmaker on both sides of the ball. A good speed number does wonders for his stock.

Jordan Gelhaus (5-11, 180; Watterson) Quick footed high school running back that should handle the transition to WR easily. Great in the open field. Adam Alderman (6-0, 180; West Carrollton) Decent size, gets open and catches anything.

Robert Carmona (6-0, 185; Dublin Jerome) Only saw a handful of plays but I am not going to be surprised if he is a top 100 player when I get to see more tape.

Mandella Sheaffer (6-0, 180; Findlay) Good size, good balls skills, great hands. Speed will tell what kind of offer list he has.

TIGHT ENDS

Brian Wozniak (6-5, 225; Cincinnati Loveland) Very athletic. Likely a tight end but any player this athletic is going to get a look on defense. Mike Levandowski (6-5, 215; Stow Munroe Falls) Athletic big kid with great hands. High school receiver. Will be a college tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

John Anevski (6-4, 280; Cincinnati Elder) Solid wide body with good technique and a level of competition second to none. Brother is a starting OL at Boston College.

Alvin Waller (6-4, 320; Cincinnati Winton Woods) Natural wide body with long arms and a good punch.

Craig Stan (6-5, 220; Howland) A body and athleticism you just can’t coach. Needs time in the weightroom but could be a gem.

Pat McShane (6-5, 285; Walsh Jesuit) An invitee to the regions best programs junior days. Clay Cooper (6-4, 260; Howland) Good center/guard that is just not ideal sized.

Zach Laird (6-4, 270; Olmstead Falls) Run oriented teams will like this small space brawler who has a good punch. Very physical. Allen Matthews (6-5, 280; Xenia) Coach Mignery believes he is the best from Xenia since Ben Person.

Matt Cash (6-1, 285lbs; Howland) Very feet and athletic for his size. Shows some pop.

Austin Buitt (6-4, 280; Strongsville) Moves really well and comes off the ball like you want a lineman to. Needs to get to camps where they can check his measurables and see his frame.

Montrae Williams

Harvey Tuck

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

DeJuan Hill (6-5, 210; Cleveland Benedictine) A player with a long frame, could play DE or OLB in college. If he fills out a bit he could be a player to watch late in the process. Vince German (6-2, 230; Licking Valley) Physical gringer with a good motor.

Alex Wilking (6-5, 210; Lakota West) Long lean and athletic.

Jimmy Apke (6-5, 200; Mason) Tough and moves well. Has the frame to add a good deal of weight. John Steele (6-4, 255; Cleveland South) Active defensive end with the frame to move down.

Gabe Robinson (6-4, 240; Hilliard Darby) Coach Jenne is excited about Robinsons potential when he gets to his natural DE position.

Chauncey Clemons (6-4, 275; Akron Garfield) If anyone can light a fire under him he has outstanding measurables. Colton Griffis (6-5, 305; Big Walnut) A good reason why Will Studlien is running free a lot. Nearly impossible to move and splits double teams like a much more experienced player. 4.81 shuttle. Blaine Burgess (6-3, 255; Pickerington Central) Great looking football player that just doesn’t have a position. Very physical.

LINEBACKERS

Jacob Green (6-2, 225; Cincinnati Wyoming) Great looking football player that could jump into the top 100 with a good athlete season.

Austin Moore (6-0, 215; Springfield) Proof of how important bodies and athleticism is to recruiting. No linebacker in Ohio has a better skillset.

Matthew Robinson (6-3, 190; Cleveland South) Active, quick, athletic and intense. Could be a steal as a stand-up defensive end in the 3-4.

Cody Kilar (6-2, 215; Hubbard) One of those players I may regret leaving out of the top 100. Quick, instinctive and makes a lot of plays. Kendal Peterson (6-0, 180; Youngstown East) Undersized edge playmaker that needs to show he can cover and play in space. Matt Rose (6-2, 247; Massillon) Great looking high school middle linebacker that will likely outgrow the position.

Nick Snoad (6-1, 230, LB, Gahanna Lincoln) Great instincts and reads the game well. Good motor. Better speed and he would be top 100.

J J H U D D L E . C O M 69

Duane Longâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 100

Josh Slemker

Dan Bana

Mike Marrow

CORNERBACKS

David Lee (5-10, 170; Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary) Size is the only thing holding back this elite little player.

Micah Hyde (6-0, 160; Fostoria) Size is going to be a major issue with this big armed kid. May find a home at cornerback for a Division 1 program. Justin Kollie (6-0, 190; Cleveland Benedictine) One of the best athletes in the state of Ohio. He can play any number of positions. Lines up at running back and receiver on offense. I think he could make a great safety.

Armand Dehaney (5-8, 180; Walsh Jesuit) One of the best football players in Ohio. He is just not big enough. Might be one of the quickest players in this class, every time he touches the ball he can take it the distance. Seth White (5-10, 185; Columbus Bexley) High school quarterback that should make an easy transition to defense in college, or could be a receiver.

SAFETIES

Pat Hinkle (6-1, 205; Cleveland St. Ignatius) If I were to pick a handful of players who I think are most likely to crack the top 100 next issue Hinkle would be one of them.

DeShawn Harris (5-10, 165; Cincinnati Wyoming) A poster child for why size matters. There is no more talented safety in Ohio. Two inches taller and twenty

Pat McShane

Clay Cooper

Anthony Urbania

pounds heavier, Harris is at least a top 50 player.

Aric Jones (5-10, 175; Cleveland Heights) One of the best all-around athletes in the class. Good athlete numbers will greatly improve his stock.

Bernard Pinkney (6-2, 170; Sylvania Southview) Skilled enough to be a receiver but speed and tackling say safety.

Tahj Dent (6-0, 185; Akron Buchtel) Great looking athlete I saw very late. Likely a top 100 player next issue. Dom Rich (6-0, 195; Canfield) Athletic kid with speed who is coming off a season where he missed a lot of playing time.

Storm Timson (5-9, 175; Pataskala Licking Heights) Corner size but a safeties game. Great hitter. Good instincts. Has a 4.28-second time in the pro shuttle and 34-inch vertical jump.

Anthony Urbania (6-0, 195; Cleveland Benedictine) Has drawn major interest from Notre Dame early in the recruiting process. He stars at RB in high school but could play defense in college, very versatile. Gannon Hulea (6-2, 210; Poland Seminary) Plays QB in High school but could play defense in college.

KICKERS

Austin Boucher

Kurt Hess

Best Of The Rest... Quarterbacks

Austin Boucher Mike Clark Kurt Hess Orlando Spikes

(6-1, (6-1, (6-3, (6-1,

190; 180; 225; 175;

Kettering Alter) Massillon Washington) Chaminade-Julienne) Cin. Woodward)

Running Backs

Delion Freeman Nicholas Gramke Dominic Goodwin Erik Finklea John Pettigrew

(5-9, 190; Alliance) (5-11, 185; Cin. Elder) (5-9, 180; Lakewood St. Edward) (6-1, 185; Cin. Woodward) (5-9, 180; Cuy. Valley Chr. Acd.)

Wide Receivers

Tyler Dummermuth Jordan Hopgood Logan McCormick

(6-2, 190; New Philadelphia) (6-0, 170; Cincinnati Princeton) (6-2, 180; Clinton-Massie)

Offensive Lineman

Rob Yakimow

(6-5, 280; Cincinnati LaSalle)

Defensive Ends

Jonathan Simmons (6-1, 205; Eaton) Sklyer Roberts (5-11, 175; Findlay)

Xavier Hines Javon Cornley Davon Custis

(6-3, 240; Cleveland Glenville) (6-5, 210; Columbus Northland) (6-5, 210; Col. DeSales)

Defensive Tackles

Ben Birch Theo Traczyk

(6-4, 250; St. Vincent-St. Mary) (6-3, 255; Strongsville)

Linebackers

Dwayne Woods Rhys Edwards Tyler Houska Rob McEvoy Mike McKinney

(6-0, 200; Cincinnati Princeton) (6-2, 189; St. Vincent-St. Mary) (6-3, 210; Medina Highland) (6-1, 225; Clev. St. Ignatius) (6-0, 210; Canton South)

Cornerbacks

Stephen Houston Victor Graham DeShawn Harris Willie Seawright Ryan Ballenger

Safeties

Mark Mays, Clayton Northmont

70 J J H U D D L E . C O M

Photo by Nick Falzerano

Michael Robinson Justin Austin Paris Bruner Doug McCowan Trent Vallinger

(5-11, 170; Lakota West) (5-10, 155; Co. Africentric) (5-11, 165; Cincinnati Wyoming) (5-10, 160; Lakewood St. Edward) (6-3, 198; Gahanna Lincoln) (6-0, 170; Cincinnati Princeton) (5-11, 180; Youngs. Ursuline) (5-11,180; Warren Harding) (5-10, 195; Springfield South) (5-11, 185, ATH; Poland)

JJ H u ddle â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s O h io Hi gh

Garfield Heights Senior Melvin Fellows

f the many impressive physical attributes that Melvin Fellows comes equipped to battle with on the gridiron, his 85-inch wingspan is probably the one asset, more than any other, that an opponent can’t necessarily game plan against or account for. “He’s very hard to block because his arms are so long,” said Garfield Heights head coach Chuck Reisland. “He keeps people off of his feet. I’ve never seen a guy that can move around out there and keep so many people off of his feet like that. He just doesn’t get knocked down very much. He’s always on his feet and he always runs to the ball.” And because of his unique ability to shed blockers and stuff the running play coming directly at him as well as chase down ball carriers from behind, Fellows was recognized as the top prospect in the state of Ohio by Ohio High recruiting editor Duane Long for the class of 2009. “It means a lot and it’s a privilege to be ranked No. 1,” Fellows said. “But I just want to be consistent and I want to come out and play hard every game. It’s a pretty big honor and I don’t want to make it seem like it’s nothing. It means a lot, but I don’t let all of that stuff to get to my head.” Reisland is obviously a big fan of some of the things that his stellar defensive end is able to do on the gridiron on Friday nights in the fall. “He’s just hard to block because he’s just so long and lanky and he’s just all over you. It’s hard to explain,” Reisland said. “You think you have a piece of him and he goes right around you. But what really impresses me is watching a big tackle try and block him and (Fellows) uses his hands on him. You just don’t get to him. You can’t get to his body.” At 6-5 and 245 pounds, and still growing, Fellows already has many of the requisite skills as well as the desired measurables that any college football team in the country would be looking for in a defensive end on their own team. But Fellows, who won’t turn 17 until July 3, still has his entire senior season yet to play at Garfield Heights High School in front of him. “Melvin plays every play,” said Reisland as he described the type of player that Fellows is when he’s out on the football field. “He’s incredible. He never takes a play off. He’s a tremendous physical presence and he dominates games. Even on a team that was playing a lot of sophomores and juniors without many seniors last year. He just dominates the game. He’s a big-time athlete with great size, great speed and he’s keeps getting stronger. He’s got the whole package.” And he’s been the virtual backbone of the Bulldog program over the past two seasons through both good times and bad. And it was pretty bad last season, Fellows’ junior campaign, coming off of his

72 J J H U D D L E . C O M

JJ H u ddle ’s O h io Hi gh

STORY BY GARY HOUSTEAU

Garfield Heights Senior Melvin Fellows

sophomore season where the football program at Garfield Heights was at one time on the endangered species list. It was nearly extinct. “It was pay-to-play and we had to fundraise to run our program. And it was real tough,” said Reisland, who steered his team to the LEL championship that year. “It worked out and we were able to do it but it was hard on the kids. Now our program is to the point where each kid has to pay $100 and our kids have been able to handle that pretty well. But a couple of years ago when we had to actually support the whole program, it was real tough. If we didn’t have the money, then we weren’t going to have a program. So we had to come up with the money. And we didn’t have the money so we had to fundraise for it.” Fellows saw his first action with the varsity that season at Garfield Heights and he began to make a name for himself. “He had a big impact for us as a sophomore,” said Reisland, whose team finished 6-4 that year. “And in his last game that year against Bedford he was the player of the game on (FSN Ohio) and Gary Jeter (the color commentator) just raved about him. Gary Jeter is a USC grad and played in the NFL and all of that.” The picture started looking brighter for Fellows and the Bulldogs during the ensuing winter and into the spring as they began to prepare for the start of last season. But then the bottom fell out during the summer. “We had an off-the-field issue where we had to suspend three of our really good and really important players,” Reisland said. “And after that, the one kid that took over at quarterback broke his hand so we had to go to our third quarterback. And then we lost Anthony Steplight, one of our best receivers. So it was a very tough year for the kids.” Prior to that adversity occurring, Reisland thought his team really had a good chance to get back into the playoffs last season. Fellows was in the eighth grade the last time the Bulldogs (9-2, Division II qualifier) were in the postseason. “It was very disappointing to have something happen like that because we had worked so hard last winter,” the veteran coach explained. “And this didn’t happen during our season, this happened in July. I think more than even physically, it really crushed the kids mentally. Everybody was reeling. We had to change our offense, we had to change our defense and it was just like we had to start practice all over again after the third game of the year.” The suspended players didn’t play in the first two games but they did get the go-ahead from the school’s administration to play in week three. “They played in the third game and then we had to suspend them for the rest of the year,” Reisland said. “The third game we won of course when we had them. We had about 600 yards of offense and these three

JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

J J H U D D L E . C O M 73

Garfield Heights Senior Melvin Fellows kids actually made up almost all of that total.” But there was so much public pressure when they played in week three that the school had to suspend them all for the remainder of the season. Needless to say, the Bulldogs finished 2-8 last year. “And that was on a team that we thought might go undefeated,” Reisland said. “But Melvin and all of the younger kids really played well. It’s not like we lost every game 50-0. We lost to Stow 21-13. We played everybody fairly tough except for the last one (34-0 loss to Nordonia). By the 10th week of the season, the kids were just shot.” Fellows and all of the younger guys had to step it up last year and according to Reisland they certainly did. “Guys like Melvin stepped it up and, because we lost the core of our offense, he actually played a lot of offense for us as a tight end,” the coach said. “Everybody had to step it up. Melvin and the rest of the juniors and sophomores stepped up and it’s going to make them better for next year. But it didn’t help for last year.” Fellows was forced to grow up even quicker than he might have without the adversity his team went through last season. “Melvin just got better and better every game and he became very dominant,” Reisland said. “And I really expect him to be dominant this fall. When we start our season he’s going to be ready to play. He’s going to be a force out there next year.” The expectations couldn’t be any higher for the top-rated prospect in Ohio and he’s OK with that. “I’m not afraid to fail,” he said. “It just makes me want to work harder but it doesn’t really change anything. I’ll already know I’m working hard so being number one doesn’t make me work harder. I’ve been working harder so it doesn’t really matter.” He’s actually more concerned with being a great teammate more than he is about being regarded as the state’s top-rated prospect. “I’m proud to be a part of this program and be a leader and I’m going to lead my team,” Fellows said. “Last year was real tough. It was really, really tough. It kind of got to me mentally but you’ve got to pick your teammates up and help them and that’s what we’re doing this year and I’m very excited about this year.” Making the playoffs is something very important to Fellows in his senior season at Garfield Heights. “I’ve never been in the playoffs. Never,” he said. “I would love to be.” And if the Bulldogs do indeed make it back to the postseason, it would mean the program has come full circle since the 2004 season when they lost 7-0 to Nordonia in the first round of the playoffs. He would be thrilled if that happened. He’s already thrilled and he feels very fortunate and blessed to be in the position that he’s in, as an individual, at this time as well.

74 J J H U D D L E . C O M

“I’m real excited,” said Fellows referring to the situation he’s currently in with regards to the whole recruiting process. “Sometimes it kind of gets like, ‘Man I can’t wait until this is all over with.’ But I’m just enjoying it and taking it all in.” Getting to play college football at the school of his choice is almost like a bonus for Fellows. “Getting an education is the main part of it,” he insisted. “I’m going to college for free and I’m going to have a great education. I’m not thinking about the NFL or anything. I just want to get a well-paying job because I know it’s hard to get a good job if you don’t have a college degree. So that’s what I’m thinking about -- education first.” His priorities obviously seem to be in their proper order. But that’s the kind of young man that Fellows is. “As good of a football player he is, he’s an even better kid,” Reisland said. “When I first met Melvin as a freshman I was amazed. I said, ‘Man he’s really a great kid.’ And you know he’s never changed. Even with all of this hype. He doesn’t even talk about it. Here’s a guy that can go to Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame and he’ll never tell you that. His main focus right now is being a leader and helping us to get our program back to where it was before last year’s fiasco.” It’s what he dreams about when he goes to bed at night. “Nothing is more important to me right now than my team,” Fellows said. “Nothing at all. All I care about is my team. I’m a team player. That’s all I care about.” Reisland thinks the rest will take care of itself. He’s that good. “He’s very good now but I don’t think Melvin has even touched the surface of how good he can be,” the coach said. “I think there’s a day down the road that he will be a dominant defensive end at the next level. He’s going to be a very dominant defensive end at the high school level this year but I can see him even dominating in college down the road. He’s still raw but he’s very talented. I just really see good things out of him this year. I really do.” He’ll certainly make some university extremely proud when he gives a final commitment to them sometime this spring. Fellows is currently committed to Illinois but he is still “open” to other schools like Ohio State and USC. He’ll likely issue a firm and final commitment sometime after all of the college coaches have gone through his school one last time this spring. At least that is his plan. Ohio State is obviously one of the schools he’s very much interested it. And he clearly hasn’t hid his fondness for the Buckeyes in any way. He even attended one of OSU’s junior days in February. But Fellows has continued to remain committed to the Illini. “I knew I was going to get more offers and right now that’s where I want to be,” Fellows said. “I want to be at Illinois. I was seeing on the comput-

er where everybody was saying that ‘he wanted to commit because they offered him first.’ I say no. I committed to Illinois because that’s where I wanted to.” For the record then, his official status at the beginning of spring was what? “I’m going to make (my final decision) public where I want to go and let everybody know that’s where I want to go,” Fellows said on March 20, the day after Terrelle Pryor officially signed his letter of intent to Ohio State. “Up to this point I said I was open with all of the other schools so I’m just going to name a school and tell everybody that’s where I’m going. Whatever I decide at that point will be my school. That’s final.” Fellows got texted by a couple of his recruiting friends shortly after Pryor made his decision. “I knew about that at noon,” Fellows said. “A couple of the recruits text me and told me about that. That’s awesome. It’s a great place.” But then he put things right back in their proper perspective. At least the way that he believes they are. “I’m happy about that but it really doesn’t have nothing to do with me,” he said. “I’m going to go where it best suits me and my family.” Fellows, however, did text (OSU verbal) Chris Fields about the Pryor decision that same day. “I text him and told him, ‘Yeah you got Pryor throwing you the rock,’ ” he said. “So I was happy for him.” Texting seems to be the preferred mode of information for this year’s group of recruits. Fellows really only talks with one of his fellow recruits, for the most part, on the phone. “The person I really talk to regularly is (Cleveland Glenville offensive lineman) Marcus Hall,” said Fellows of his friend that also has Ohio State, USC and Illinois at the top of his list also. “But with a lot of the other Ohio State recruits, we really don’t talk that much. We text each other once in a while but we really don’t talk that much.” Fellows already considers guys like Fields, Storm Klein, Johnny Simon and Jonathan Newsome his friends. Some people believe that bodes really well for him changing his commitment from Illinois to Ohio State later in the spring. It seems to be the school that most people seem to think he’ll end up in the end. But Fellows is the kind of kid that you’ll root for no matter what school he ultimately commits to. He’s a good kid and a pretty good football player as well. “Because of what kind of kid he is makes him even more of a special player because he’s the kind of guy you want to see do well,” Reisland said. “Because he deserves to do well. I don’t know if he’s too good to be true, but I’m glad he plays for me and doesn’t play for someone else.” Reisland can’t hide the affection he feels for Fellows and he doesn't try to. “He’s a pretty special guy,” he said. “I’m glad he plays for us. It’s a privilege to coach him.” — OH

JJ H u ddle ’s O h io Hi gh

Photo by Gary Housteau

STORY BY STEVE HELWAGEN

or the third year in a row, Ohio’s top two high school football all-star games will be conducted simultaneously. But a movement is afoot to possibly change that scheduling conflict in the years to come. The scheduling conflict first came about in 2006, when the Big 33 Football Classic moved its game up one month from July to the third Saturday in June. But that is when the Ohio North-South Classic has always conducted its game. The Big 33, based in Hershey, Pa., moved its game up a month so it could continue to feature signees who are headed to top

JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h

Football All-Star Game Previews

Chillicothe’s Chris Givens was MVP of the NorthSouth game last season.

Division I schools. In recent years, many of those signees have opted to enroll at their college choice for summer school. Once signees enroll in those summer sessions, which usually begin in late June, they become ineligible for all-star game competition. As a result, Ohio’s top players – who used to be able to play in both games – are “drafted” by coaches onto one of the three all-star teams. The North and South squads will go head to head in the North-South Classic June 14, while the Ohio all-stars will play a Pennsylvania squad at Hersheypark Stadium later the same night. This marks the 16th straight year Ohio will participate in the Big

33. The results for Ohio in the Big 33 have not been pretty since the conflict came about two years ago. The Pennsylvania all-stars won the 2006 game 61-42 and followed with a 2810 win a year ago. The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association sets up the selection process for both games and sponsors the North-South game. This year, though, the Big 33 coach, Olmsted Falls’ Jim Ryan, was given a better shot at some of the state’s top available players. “We wanted to have the most representative team go to Pennsylvania,” said Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz, current president of the OHSFCA. “That is without denigrating the people in the North-South game, which is the longest running high school football allstar game in the U.S. “But the fact is with the North-South game, Ohio is always going to win that. The Big 33 is an interstate rivalry. A lot of credence is given to the result of that game. We took away a couple of the restrictions on the Big 33 coach in the selection process to give him a little bit more leeway.” As a result, Ryan’s Big 33 team will have at least 21 players who signed letters-ofintent in February for Bowl Championship Series schools. Last year’s Ohio Big 33 team featured just 15 BCS signees. Dlugosz said the OHSFCA is being proactive in protecting its own game as well. There will be two big changes to the Ohio NorthSouth Classic this year. The game will be played at 4 p.m. on June 14, followed by the Big 33 game at 7 p.m. from Hershey. The other big change is the venue. The NorthSouth game will move from Columbus Crew Stadium, where it has been held every year since 2001, to venerable Ohio Stadium on the Ohio State campus. “A lot of kids never get the opportunity to get into the Horseshoe,” Dlugosz said. “We think it is the St. Peter’s Basilica of football in Ohio. By moving our game there, we think we’ll give the kids and their families and even the population of Columbus a chance to see a football game there. “Some people, because of the cost of tickets, never get a chance to go there for Ohio State games. Plus, it will give our kids a chance to experience that field.” Those changes could be the first in what could be a major shift for the North-South game. Dlugosz confirmed that OHSFCA officers have discussed moving their game, now in its 63rd year, to April to avoid a conflict with the Big 33 altogether. “We are in the discussion phase with our organization and Ohio State and we may move our all-star game to the weekend of

J J H U D D L E . C O M 75

Football All-Star Game Previews Ohio State’s spring game in April,” Dlugosz said. “It would create a big weekend for football in Ohio with our game and their game. We could also do some things with the Browns and Bengals and even tie it all in with Paul Brown. “That is only in the talking stages. The drawback there is the spring sports. Some athletes may have to miss some time from their baseball or track teams in order to compete in the game. We are empathetic to that. We’re just trying to figure out a solution.” Attendance at the North-South game has hovered around the 5,000 mark in recent years. In fact, last year’s game drew 5,070 at Crew Stadium. By aligning itself with Ohio State and possibly moving out of June, North-South game organizers are looking to solidify their game. “We were thinking about this and Ohio State was thinking about it and we just kind of came together on it,” Dlugosz said. It is also clear that, by sending a more representative team to the Big 33, the OHSFCA is committed to staying a part of that game, now in its 51st year, for years to come. The Big 33 Football Classic typically draws between 15,000-20,000 fans and is regionally televised between the two states. The 2006 game drew a crowd of 14,043 to Hersheypark Stadium. Moreover, the Big 33 and its sponsors have raised nearly $500,000 for scholarships for Ohio students.

Choosing Sides

Here are details on both games:

The Ohio North-South Classic

It will be contested 4 p.m. June 14 at Ohio Stadium. Sherwood Fairview head coach Bob Olwin will coach the North team. Some of his key players include Youngstown East running back/defensive back Salvadore Battles (Kent State signee), Hunting Valley University School defensive tackle Jake Stoller (Yale signee) and Solon linebacker Steve Greer (Virginia signee). “I coached as an assistant in this game in 2002,” Olwin said. “It is a great honor to get nominated to be a head coach in this game. This is something a lot of guys don’t get the chance to do. For our team to be able to play this game in Ohio Stadium, that also makes it very intriguing.” According to the OHSFCA, alumni of the Ohio North-South Classic have participated in all but two of the NFL’s 42 Super Bowl games. “That is enough said right there about the

76 J J H U D D L E . C O M

quality and tradition of this game,” Olwin said. Groveport-Madison’s Tim Brown will coach the South squad. Notable players include Dublin Coffman quarterback Zach Stoudt (Louisville signee), Cincinnati St. Xavier defensive lineman Greg Scruggs (Louisville signee), Lewis Center Olentangy defensive end Kenny Anunike (Duke signee) and Hilliard Darby wide receiver/defensive back Jeremy Ebert (Northwestern). Last year, the South squad blasted the North 50-7. But the North maintains a 36-233 lead in the all-time series. Television details for this year’s NorthSouth Classic had not been resolved. ONN televised the game last year.

Big 33 Football Classic

The Big 33 game is set for 7 p.m., June 17, at Hersheypark Stadium. It is sponsored by PNC Bank. Ohio State signees on the Ohio squad include Beavercreek defensive back Zach Domicone, Westerville Central kicker Ben Buchanan, Madison tight end Nic DiLillo, Cleveland Glenville lineman Shawntel Rowell and Washington C.H. Miami Trace linebacker Nathan Williams. More notables on the team include Dublin Coffman linebacker Steve Gardiner (Michigan State signee), Wauseon lineman Elliot Mealer (Michigan), Trotwood-Madison wide receiver Roy Roundtree (Michigan), Clayton Northmont lineman Zebrie Sanders (Florida State) and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney linebacker Mike Zordich (Penn State). Mentor quarterback Bart Tanski, the Ohio Mr. Football award winner headed to Bowling Green, is also on the squad. The initial Pennsylvania Big 33 roster listed Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor, one of the nation’s top five prospects, according to ESPN.com, on that squad. But the updated roster does not include Pryor. It does, however, include 21 players headed to BCS schools, however. OSU football coach Jim Tressel appeared at an Ohio Big 33 team event held at Ohio Stadium. He addressed the team and their parents. “You will enjoy that experience of meeting new people,” Tressel said. “You will enjoy competing on a higher level against faster, more developed athletes. The buddies you will meet, you will remember for the rest of your life. “The families you live with, they will become some of your greatest fans for the rest of your career. This is just one of those special events. You need to take advantage of every second. Enjoy the experience in

Hershey, Pa. No one does it better. No one does a better job of giving you a once-in-alifetime experience.” Olmsted Falls’ Ryan, the Ohio head coach, previously served as a Big 33 assistant. “I knew before I was there that it was a prestigious all-star game,” Ryan said. “I wasn’t aware, though, of how much every day when you are there that you’re winning. It is like a bowl week with all of the charitable appearances. Your goal is to win the game, certainly. But your goal is also to win every single day while you are over there. “The Big 33 is more than just a game.” Ryan said he and his coaching staff accepted nominations for players from around the state. They pored over videotapes in making their selections. “It was pretty drawn out,” he said. “We spent time over Christmas break and on into January. I know when we started making calls (to players), the excitement of the people we talked to on the phone was unmatched. “I think we’ve got some pretty nice players. The majority of them are going to BCS schools. We thought it was nice to get the Mr. Football award winner, Bart Tanski from Mentor, because he has played in a lot of big games there. “We have five guys from Ohio State. We have almost all of the guys from their recruiting class who weren’t injured or already enrolled in school.” Ryan wants to see his Ohio team end its two-game losing skid in the series. “Ohio has not won this game since 2005,” he said. “Our main goal is to go over and win the football game.” From the players’ perspective, representing Ohio is a big honor. “One thing about being an Ohio boy, everybody wants to play in the Big 33 or the North-South game,” DiLillo said. “I know the Big 33 has gotten a lot bigger and I know Pennsylvania beat us pretty good last year. If we can get after it, hopefully we can win this game.” Williams said he is excited about the competition he will see in the Big 33 game. “I am just looking forward to getting out there and competing with guys at my level, particularly against guys who are going on to big-time colleges like Ohio State and Michigan,” he said. The Big 33 game will be televised live by CN8 in Pennsylvania. Other TV plans will be announced as the game nears. The Ohio-Pennsylvania series resumed in 1993. Last year’s win gave Pennsylvania an 8-7 lead in that series. — OH

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Football All-Star Game Previews

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June 14, 2008 4 p.m. Ohio Stadium Columbus, Ohio

Ohio

June 14, 2008 7 p.m. Hersheypark Stadium Hershey, Pennsylvania

Head coach: Bob Olwin (Versailles). Assistant coaches: Mark Gibson (Clyde), B.J. Payne (Lexington), Nick Ciulli (North Royalton), Tom Pavlansky (Cortland Fairview), Jason Hall (Macedonia Nordonia). Players: Ryan Radcliff, QB, Sherwood Fairview; Aaron Pankratz, QB, Macedonia Nordonia; Jordan Gribble, WRCB, Brunswick; Isaiah Ballard, RB-DB, Toledo Rogers; Richie Baker, WR-DB, Elyria Catholic; Salvadore Battles, RB-DB, Youngstown East; Brian Vollmer, WR-DB, Macedonia Nordonia; Matt Wakulchik, WR-DB, North Canton Hoover; Chase Munoz, WR-DB, Fostoria; Joe Gaglione, OL-DL, Mentor Lake Catholic; Eric Herman, OL-DL, Toledo Central Catholic; Sean Whited, OL-DL, Canton McKinley; Marc Stevens, OL, Lexington; Kevin

Harper, P-K, Mentor; Jake Stoller, DL-OL, Hunting Valley University School; Kurt Hanenkrath, DL-OL, Ayersville; Andrew Schaetzke, DL, Toledo St. Johnʼs. Kevin Koger, DL-WR, Toledo Whitmer; Jacob Andrews, LB-RB, Clyde; Derrick Vicars, LB-RB, Genoa; Steve Greer, LB, Solon; Steve Yoak, LB-RB, Akron Hoban; Mike Haddad, LBRB, Avon Lake; Nick Tuminello, LB-DL, Youngstown Boardman; Andrew Illig, OL, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit; Patrick Pakan, DBWR, Tallmadge; Tony Stover, DB-WR, Canal Fulton Northwest; Kyle Smedi, LB-RB, Lakeview Cortland; Karson Bodnovich, OLDL, Mayfield; Devon Jennings, DB, Euclid; Harold Coates, OLDL, Youngstown Ursuline; Teddy Robb, WR-DB, Canal Fulton Northwest; Jon Biehl, WR-DB, Lakeview Cortland.

Head coach: Jim Ryan (Olmsted Falls). Assistant coaches: Ed Miley (Alliance Marlington), Jay Minton (Huber Heights Wayne), Dan Reardon (Youngstown Ursuline), Mike Fell (Ada), Matt Rosati (Perry). Players (colleges in parentheses): Phillip Barnett, WR, Middletown (Toledo); Matt Betz, DT, Alliance Marlington; D.J. Brown, DB, West Chester Lakota West (Miami, Ohio); Justin Brown, OL, Youngstown Ursuline; Ben Buchanan, K-P, Westerville Central (Ohio State); Andy Cruse, WR, Cincinnati Turpin (Miami, Ohio); Nic DiLillo, TE, Madison (Ohio State); Zach Domicone, DB, Beavercreek (Ohio State); Zac Dysert, QB, Ada (Miami, Ohio); Steve Gardiner, LB, Dublin Coffman (Michigan State); Taylor Hill, DE, Youngstown Mooney (Michigan); William Lowe Jr., DB, Cleveland Glenville (Iowa); B.J. Machen, LB, Hilliard Darby (Georgia Tech); Elliot Mealer, OL, Wauseon (Michigan); Matt Mihalik, OL, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (Virginia); Dan Milligan, DB, Cincinnati St. Xavier

(Cincinnati); Brandon Mills, DT, Cincinnati Colerain (Cincinnati). Briggs Orsbon, WR, Convoy Crestview (Ball State); Isaiah Pead, RB, Columbus Eastmoor (Cincinnati); Andrew Phelan, OL, West Chester Lakota West (Miami, Ohio); Dave Plungas, OL, Mentor Lake Catholic (Albany); Taylor Rice, WR-DB, Dublin Scioto; Roy Roundtree, WR, Trotwood-Madison (Michigan); Shawntel Rowell, OL-DT, Cleveland Glenville (Ohio State); Zebrie Sanders, OL, Clayton Northmont (Florida State); Michael Shaw II, RB, Trotwood-Madison (Michigan); Bart Tanski, QB, Mentor (Bowling Green); Nick Truesdell, WR-DE, Cincinnati Anderson (Cincinnati); Kenny Veal, DB, Hamilton (Toledo); Dawawn Whitner, DT-OL, Cleveland Glenville; Nathan Williams, DE, Washington C.H. Miami Trace (Ohio State); D.J. Woods, WR-DB, Strongsville (Cincinnati); Jerel Worthy, DT, Huber Heights Wayne (Michigan State); Michael Zordich, LB, Youngstown Mooney (Penn State).

Head coach: Tim Brown (Groveport-Madison). Assistant coaches: Doug Shilot (South Point), Luke Beal (Fredericktown), John Enoch (Washington C.H.), John Cooke (Cincinnati Colerain), Justin Kropka (Cadiz Harrison Central). Players: David Rolf, LB-WR, Piqua; Justin Hemm, S-WR, Piqua; Keith Morgam, S-WR, Bellefontaine; Zach Stoudt, QB, Dublin Coffman; Andre Dawson, CB-WR, Lewis Center Olentangy; Zach Brown, DL-C, Canal Winchester; Kenny Anunike, DETE, Lewis Center Olentangy; Jeremy Ebert, WR-DB, Hilliard Darby; B.J. Camden, LB-TE, Groveport-Madison; Tim German, OL-DL, Newark Licking Valley; Joe Pachuta, OL-DL, New Concord John Glenn; Bryan Gaiters, RB, Zanesville; Mark Nichols, Newark Catholic, RB-DB; Taylor Hitzfield, TE-DE, Fredericktown; Andrew

Radakovich, OL-DL, Steubenville; Robbie Davia, QB, Cadiz Harrison Central; Nick Stevens, K, Gallipolis Gallia Academy. Alex Wallace, DT-OT, Logan; Dustin Harmon, DT-OL, Coal Grove Dawson Bryant; Zach Hutchins, DE-LB, Sugar Grove Berne Union; Anthony Washington, DB, Fairborn; Zach Free, DB, Washington C.H.; Aston Jackson, RB-CB, Xenia; Jon Ingerman, OL-DL, Springfield Northeastern; Phillip Manley, OL, Hamilton; Zach Kauth, WR, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne; Mike Kindel, CB-WR, Springboro; Johnathan Kendrick, CB-WR, Kettering Fairmont; J.K. Schaffer, LB-DE, Cincinnati LaSalle; Nick Schneider, LB, Cincinnati St. Xavier; Evan Davis, OL, Cincinnati Colerain; Greg Scruggs, DE, Cincinnati St. Xavier; Larry Black, NG-OL, Cincinnati Wyoming; Dom Sheerer, RB, Cincinnati Colerain.

Head coach: Jim Morgans (Parkland). Assistant coaches: Mike Milano (Downington West), Rick Pennypacker (Pottsgrove), Art Walker Jr. (North Allegheny), Sam Leedy (Gettysburg), Phil Riccio (Altoona). Players (colleges in parentheses): A.J. Alexander, ATH, Altoona Area (Florida State); Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Aliquippa (Pittsburgh); Vaughn Carraway, WR, Muhlenberg (Temple); R.J. Dill, OL-DL, Trinity (Maryland); Nate Eachus, LB, Hazleton (Colgate); Austin Fedell, OL-DL, North Allegheny (Slippery Rock); Robbie Gumbita, OL-DL, Mt. Pleasant (William & Mary); Jared Holley, DB, Easton (Pittsburgh); John Jackson, TE, Central Bucks South (Villanova); Chris Johnson, DB, Roman Catholic (Villanova); Mike Jones, RB, Bishop McDevitt (Syracuse); John Laub, QB, Parkland (Richmond); Phillip Long, DT, Souderton (Indiana U., Pa.); Pete Massaro, DE, Marple Newtown (Penn State); Lucas Nix,

OL-DL, Thomas Jefferson (Pittsburgh); Joshua Potts, DB, Harrisburg (Temple); Cameron Saddler, ATH, Monroeville Gateway (Pittsburgh). Mike Shanahan, WR, Norwin (Pittsburgh); David Soldner, K, Manheim Twp. (Penn State); Matt Stankiewitch, OL-DL, Blue Mountain (Penn State); Tino Sunseri, QB, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Pittsburgh); Andrew Taglianetti, DB, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Pittsburgh); Wayne Luis Tribue, OL-DL, Central York (Temple); Dan Vaughan, FB-DE, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Syracuse); Brandon Ware, OL-DL, Harrisburg (Penn State); Corey Watts, LB, North Allegheny (Lafayette); Brandon Weaver, DE, Pittsburgh Trinity (Ohio U.); Mark Wedderburn, DE, Cardinal OʼHara (Penn State); Quentin Williams, TE, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Northwestern); Christian Wilson, RB, Montour (North Carolina); Mike Yancich, LB, Trinity (Penn State).

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Pennsylvania

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