Several people took time to share countless stories and memories about St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) senior offensive lineman Matt James last week. 
Matt James, St. Xavier
File photo
While his family, teammates and coaches continued the mourning process, James was remembered as a student-athlete who had a big heart and a humble spirit off the field.
"He had a kid’s personality," St. X senior quarterback Luke Massa said. "He found something fun in everything he did. He would do anything for anyone."
James, who died in a spring break accident April 2 in Panama City, Fla., was laid to rest on Saturday in Cincinnati. St. Xavier High School held a visitation on Friday afternoon and the funeral Mass was in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday morning.
James, who was listed at 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, was one of the nation’s most highly recruited football players in the 2010 class. He signed with Notre Dame on National Signing Day in February after having several high-profile scholarship offers.
Teammates and coaches said James was a strong competitor on the field who always strived to make his teammates better each and every day.
"There was never a whistle in Matt’s head," St. X senior safety Nick Weston said of daily practices with the team. "His work ethic was outrageous."
2. Ohio wins all-star basketball games: Ohio took center stage Saturday night and won the Ohio-Kentucky boys and girls all-star basketball games played in Northern Kentucky, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Several standouts were scheduled to compete in both games. Cincinnati Princeton senior guard Jordan Sibert, an Ohio State recruit, scored 17 points to lead Ohio past Kentucky 92-84 in the boys game. Moeller senior center McKenzie Griffin (Xavier) had eight points. Ohio won the girls game 84-55.
3. Coaching milestones: New Richmond baseball coach Brian Benzinger won his 200th game last week, while Loveland softball coach Jim Fiehrer won his 100th game, according to the Enquirer. Benzinger was 200-66 after New Richmond’s 5-2 win over Goshen . Fiehrer was 100-65 after Loveland ’s 3-2 win over Anderson.
4. Kelly adds two offers: Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) junior offensive lineman Ryan Kelly recently added offers from North Carolina State and Arizona, according to the Enquirer. Kelly also has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Syracuse, Boston College, Louisville and Indiana. Kelly enjoyed his unofficial visit to Alabama last week and Alabama is expected to visit Lakota West later this spring.
5. Clark to take visits: Finneytown (Cincinnati, Ohio) junior lineman Donovan Clark is scheduled to take a couple of unofficial visits this week. Clark, who is one of the state’s top players in the 2011 class, has scholarship offers that include Cincinnati, Louisville, Syracuse, Miami University, Kent State, Minnesota, Ohio University, West Virginia, Duke, Buffalo, Indiana and Ball State. Clark is scheduled to visit Louisville on Friday, Indiana on Saturday and West Virginia on April 24. He also plans to visit Ohio State soon.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Jordyn Fisherback, Greenville (Greenville, Ohio): The softball pitcher struck out 20 batters as Greenville defeated Clayton Northmont 1-0 on Wednesday, according to the Dayton Daily News. Fisherback improved to 8-0.
Tyler Seibel, La Salle: The senior catcher went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double and five RBI in the Lancers’ 13-5 win over Cincinnati St. Xavier on Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Abby Jones, Archbishop McNicholas (Cincinnati, Ohio): The freshman pitcher threw a no-hitter and had nine strikeouts in a 4-0 win over Alter, according to the Enquirer.
Looking ahead
Colerain Invitational track and field meet, 4:15 p.m. Tuesday: This annual event attracts some of the better teams in the Cincinnati area. At least 25 total boys and girls teams are expected to compete.
Fairborn (Fairborn, Ohio) at Lebanon (Lebanon, Ohio) softball, 5 p.m. Wednesday: These two teams have been near the top of the Greater Western Ohio Conference South division standings this season. Lebanon is led by pitcher Bethany Campbell. Through four games, Fairborn’s Courtnie Spain had 35 strikeouts and a 0.25 ERA. Fairborn won six consecutive games to start the season. Lebanon is led offensively by Jerrica Krup with a .692 batting average.
Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati, Ohio) at St. Ursula Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) softball, 4:15 p.m. Thursday: Two of the top teams in the Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet division. As of April 8, Mercy was led by Erika Leonard with a .706 batting average. St. Ursula pitcher Megan Flenniken had 56 strikeouts as of April 8.
Recruiting news
Northmont (Clayton, Ohio) junior middle linebacker Kaleb Ringer (6-1, 220) was recently offered by Cincinnati. ... Sycamore (Cincinnati, Ohio) junior offensive lineman Justin Murray (6-5, 245) has added offers from Illinois and Memphis. He also has offers from Cincinnati, Minnesota, Indiana and several others, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. … Shroder Paideia Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) senior linebacker Jared Ward (6-1, 200) and defensive end Brook Williams (6-0, 240) have committed to Kentucky Wesleyan.
Random thoughts
Glen Este (Cincinnati, Ohio) softball coach Tim Gregory proposed to Milford (Milford, Ohio) softball coach Christy Foster before the Fort Ancient Valley Conference game on Wednesday, according to the Community Press. The two had been dating for two-and-a-half years, according to the publication. … Lockland (Lockland, Ohio) won the boys and girls Marvin Kolodzik Relays at North College Hill on Wednesday. … Upper Arlington (Columbus, Ohio) water polo coach Jim Roberts has won the Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double-Goal Coach Award, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
