Archbishop Moeller senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix couldn’t resist the opportunity to play football on a campus that features the Grotto, Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome in South Bend, Ind. 
Andrew Hendrix, Archbishop Moeller
File photo by Wayne Litmer
That’s part of the reason why Hendrix, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in the 2010 class, decided to remain orally committed to Notre Dame early last week after he also considered a scholarship offer from the University of Florida.
"I think Florida just flattered him, but in the end he was always going to Notre Dame," Moeller coach John Rodenberg told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hendrix, who is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, always liked the tradition in South Bend. He initially made an oral commitment to Notre Dame last summer, but evaluated his options after Irish coach Charlie Weis was dismissed in late November.
Hendrix reportedly took an official visit to Florida during the weekend of Jan. 8 and was impressed with the Gators program. However, Hendrix said his heart belonged in South Bend. He will sign a National Letter of Intent with Notre Dame on Feb. 3.
"…Coach (Brian) Kelly was thrilled when I told him I was a member of the Fighting Irish," Hendrix told the Enquirer.
Hendrix threw for 1,353 yards and eight touchdowns for the Crusaders during the 2009 season.
2. Dunbar defeats nationally ranked team: Dayton Dunbar defeated Whitney Young (Chicago) 98-76 in the Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational in Kettering, Ohio. Young is rated No. 25 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Center Delve Givens had 19 points and six rebounds to lead Dunbar. Forward Deon Stewart scored 17 points and had four rebounds and three assists. Four other players scored in double figures for Dunbar. "This is a win that helps our confidence to hopefully continue moving toward being a championship team," Dunbar guard Ryan Bass told the Dayton Daily News.
3. James narrows choices: Cincinnati St. Xavier senior offensive lineman Matt James (6-7, 290) was expected to take an official visit to the University of Cincinnati this past weekend. James, who participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl recently, narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Notre Dame and Cincinnati on Thursday. James dropped Florida from consideration on Thursday. James plans to take an official visit to South Bend this weekend. He took an official visit to Ohio State in December. James has indicated he might wait until National Signing Day Feb. 3 to make a college decision.
4. Bullard reaches milestone: Walnut Hills senior forward Phylesha Bullard, a Syracuse signee, reached the 1,000-point milestone on Saturday night in a 63-44 win against Turpin. Bullard was just 12 points shy before the game. Bullard scored 22 points to reach 1,010 points for her career, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Bullard averaged 16.7 points and 5.5 rebounds for Walnut Hills heading into last weekend. Walnut Hills (10-2, 5-0 Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal division) plays host to Anderson at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
5. Colerain to play Northern Kentucky team: Cincinnati Colerain and Ryle (Ky.) have agreed to a two-year deal beginning with the 2011 season. The series will start on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 at Colerain. Ryle will host the 2012 game on Aug. 31. "Both schools are excited about the impending matchup and hope it becomes a rivalry," Colerain athletic director Dan Bolden said in a statement. Colerain, a perennial Division I power, was co-champions of the Greater Miami Conference this past season. Ryle was 8-4 this past season.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Cassie Sant, Kettering Fairmont girls basketball: The senior forward had 15 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and three assists in a 49-29 win over Clayton Northmont.
Rickey Bender, Northwest boys bowling: The sophomore bowled a 217 and 242 in a win over Norwood early last week. Bender had a 229.5 average after the match.
Karen Nelson, Princeton girls basketball: The junior forward had a game-high 18 points to go along with nine rebounds and five steals to help lead the Vikings past visiting Sycamore 53-34.
Jeremiah Chancellor, Woodward boys basketball: The senior center had 17 points, nine rebounds and five blocks to lead the Bulldogs to a 67-55 win over Aiken.
Looking ahead
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Classic, boys basketball today at Withrow: Two games highlight the event at Withrow High School, which is located north of downtown Cincinnati. Western Hills plays Mount Healthy at 1 p.m., followed by Shroder Paideia vs. Clark Montessori at 3 p.m. It is the fifth year for the event, which often features Cincinnati Public Schools teams.
Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League bowling tournament: The GGCL girls tournament is at Brentwood Bowl at 8:15 a.m. today. All GGCL programs are expected to compete. League leaders include Mercy (9-1) in the Scarlet division, Hamilton Badin (6-2) in the Grey Central division and Dayton Carroll (7-0) in the Grey North.
West Chester Lakota West at Mason girls basketball, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday: These two Greater Miami Conference teams meet for the first time this season in suburban Cincinnati. Lakota West won seven consecutive games going into last weekend. Mason had won two consecutive games.
Recruiting news
Cincinnati Sycamore senior linebacker Paul Yanow was offered by Butler University last weekend. … West Chester Lakota West senior running back Jordan Thompson was recently offered by Memphis. … Indian Hill senior quarterback Sam Hendricks recently made an oral commitment to play football at Eastern Illinois. … Cincinnati Colerain junior linebacker Jarrett Grace was recently offered by Boston College. … Moeller junior defensive lineman Jesse Hayes was recently offered by Minnesota. … Ohio State has offered Winton Woods senior quarterback Dominique Brown, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Random thoughts
Cincinnati St. Xavier will induct four new members into the annual Hall of Fame class on Feb. 9. … Middletown Madison senior guard Tyler Dietz was named the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division player of the week on Jan. 11. He had 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a recent 68-53 win over Carlisle. … St. Paris Graham remains No. 1 in the Division II state wrestling poll.
