A busy week of high school sports started early in the week with the announcement of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown football schedule for this fall. 
Conor Hundley, St. Xavier
File photo by Jim Owens
The 13th annual event is billed as the "nation’s largest and longest-running high school football showcase," according to organizers. For some high school football fans, the announcement is an event they anticipate each spring.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that a record 24 schools will play 12 games over five days Aug. 20-29. The event includes several teams from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, including the likes of Moeller, St. Xavier, Colerain, Lakota West and Elder.
One of the marquee games will be Friday, Aug. 27 when Elder (Cincinnati) plays Winton Woods at 8:30 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati. Winton Woods is the reigning Division II state champion, while Elder was a Division I state semifinalist in 2009. Winton Woods will return senior-to-be linebacker Antonio Poole, who already has several scholarship offers from the likes of Michigan State, Cincinnati and Minnesota.
"We use (the Showdown) as a measuring stick, to see how we rate with everyone else in town," Winton Woods coach Troy Everhart said. "You’re kidding yourself if you think you can find any better football than right here. If you watch the Showdown, you watch not only great programs but future college and NFL players."
Cincinnati Colerain will play Clayton Northmont in a featured night game Aug. 28 at Nippert Stadium. Colerain features senior-to-be linebacker Jarrett Grace, who is orally committed to Notre Dame. Northmont features senior-to-be receiver Josh McClain and junior-to-be linebacker Kaleb Ringer – both of whom have early scholarship offers.
On Aug. 29, St. Xavier will play Good Counsel (Md.). St. X features senior-to-be linebackers Steve Daniels and Sean Duggan along with junior-to-be running back Conor Hundley.
Archbishop Moeller will play Huber Heights in a highly-anticipated game that is part of the Aug. 29 doubleheader. Moeller features senior-to-be linebacker Jesse Hayes, who has 17 scholarship offers. Wayne features senior-to-be quarterback Braxton Miller, who has offers from the likes of Ohio State, Southern California, Florida, Alabama and Notre Dame.
"The game should be one of the more exciting games to kick off the 2010 season," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said.
2. Bennett commits to Ohio State: Centerville senior-to-be defensive lineman Michael Bennett reportedly made an oral commitment to Ohio State on Sunday night, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Bennett, who is 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, also considered Northwestern, according to the publication. Bennett, who is considered one of the nation’s top players at his position, had at least 30 other scholarship offers, according to the Dispatch. "I made up my mind where I wanted to go, so I decided I didn’t have to wait any longer," Bennett told the publication.
3. Murray commits to Cincinnati: Sycamore junior offensive tackle Justin Murray orally committed to the University of Cincinnati on Friday morning. Murray, who is 6-5 and 254 pounds, became the second Cincinnati-area player to orally commit to the Bearcats from the 2011 class. Hamilton Badin quarterback Patrick Coyne orally committed to Cincinnati on March 29. Murray, who is considered one of the state’s top offensive linemen going into next season, also had scholarship offers from schools that included Louisville, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and some Mid-American Conference schools.
4. Slinger wins 600th game: St. Xavier baseball coach Bill Slinger won his 600th career game on May 11 as the Bombers won a Division I sectional game against Glen Este. Slinger, who has been the St. X head coach since 1979, had an overall record of 600-346 after that game. Slinger was also the coach at Hamilton Badin from 1970-73. "I enjoy the competition," Slinger told the Enquirer. "I still enjoy the daily working with kids." St. Xavier has averaged nearly 18 wins over his 34 seasons at the schools. St. X won the 2003 Division I state title and has won 10 Greater Catholic League titles under the direction of Slinger.
5. Bradley named Summit coach: Former NBA player Michael Bradley was named the new boys basketball coach at Summit Country Day (Cincinnati) on Friday. He is expected to meet the team this morning. Bradley, a former University of Kentucky player, was among 40 applicants for the head coaching position. Bradley won a national title at Kentucky in 1998 and later transferred to Villanova, where he was a consensus All-American in 2001. He was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and played five seasons in the league.
6. Woeste retiring: Winton Woods athletic director Herb Woeste announced last week that he will retire from the position on June 30. Woeste, who has been the school’s athletic director for the past 12 years, has spent 37 years in education. "I want to take some time to enjoy my grandkids and play some golf," Woeste said. Dwight Campbell, who is the Winton Woods Middle School principal, will be the new athletic director. Woeste coached the 1986 Purcell Marian football team to the Division II state championship. Ironically, Winton Woods won the school’s first state football title this past December – also capturing the Division II state title.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Christin Miller, Mason softball: The senior threw a no-hitter and had eight strikeouts as the Comets defeated Northwest 7-0 in a Division I sectional game, according to the Enquirer. She was also 2 for 4 with a triple.
Kelley Benhase, Glen Este softball: The junior had 15 strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit as Glen Este defeated Princeton 10-0 in six innings in a Division I sectional game, according to the Enquirer. Glen Este plays St. Ursula in a Division I sectional final at 5 p.m. today at Mason.
Brian Korte, Elder baseball: The senior had 10 strikeouts as the Panthers defeated Withrow 17-1 in a Division I sectional game, according to the Enquirer. Elder plays Lakota East in a Division I sectional final at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kings.
Looking ahead
District track meets: The Southwest District track meets begin this week at various locations around Southwest Ohio. The Division I meets will be held at the University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium, Mason, Fairfield and Troy. The Division II meets are at New Richmond, Dayton and Milton-Union. The Division III meets are at New Richmond, Welcome Stadium and Milton-Union.
Deer Park vs. Clermont Northeastern Division III softball, 5 p.m. today: These two teams play in a sectional final at Batavia. CNE is the No. 1 seed, while Deer Park is No. 5. CNE is led by freshman pitcher Emily Anderson, who has recorded more than 340 strikeouts this season.
Moeller vs. West Chester Lakota West, Division I baseball, 4 p.m. Thursday: These two team play in a Division I sectional final at Lakota East. Moeller, the No. 1 seed, is the reigning Division I state champion. Lakota West is led by senior Jacob May, who is hitting. 429 with four home runs and 26 RBI. Moeller junior Alex Barlow is hitting .526 with 11 doubles, six triples and 30 RBI.
Recruiting news
Cincinnati Oak Hills junior linebacker Ben Russell (6-2, 228) was offered by Toledo on Wednesday night, according to the Enquirer. Russell also has offers from Minnesota, Kent State, Buffalo, Akron and Ball State. … Cincinnati Colerain junior linebacker Andrew Smith (6-2, 195) recently added an offer from Stanford. Smith also has offers from Cincinnati, Minnesota and Ball State. … Centerville junior running back Tristin Boykin (6-0, 190) was reportedly offered by Buffalo, according to ScoutingOhio.com. It is reportedly his first offer. … Columbus Bexley soccer player Ross Friedman has signed with Harvard, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Random thoughts
Cincinnati Withrow won the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference boys and girls track and field titles last week. The Tigers also had the runners of the year and field event performers of the year. … Ben Buehner has been named the new boys basketball coach at Valley View, according to the Dayton Daily News. He is a 2001 graduate of the school, according to the publication. … Dayton Dunbar and Marshall won the boys and girls City League track and field titles, respectively, according to the Dayton Daily News.
