A flurry of recruiting activity preceded National Signing Day last week, but when Feb. 3 arrived there were few surprises at the end of the day. And now, recruiting observers have already turned their attention the Class of 2011.
Southwest Ohio saw several big-time signings last week at several high schools across the region. Those among the top of this year’s class included the likes of West Chester Lakota West linebacker Jordan Hicks (Texas), Cincinnati St. Xavier senior offensive lineman Matt James (Notre Dame), Anderson offensive lineman Andrew Norwell (Ohio State), Huber Heights Wayne defensive lineman Terry Talbott (Michigan) and Princeton quarterback Spencer Ware (LSU).
While speculation about their college choices and the timing of their decisions surrounded some of the top recruits since last summer, all the top recruits signed Wednesday. Although those players are ready to move on to their college destinations later this year, several high school juniors are just beginning the recruiting process.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week that at least 22 juniors have already been offered scholarships in the Class of 2011 and the number of offers is growing every day.
Early indications suggest Cincinnati Colerain could have the most college scholarship offers this spring in the Queen City. Colerain has at least five players who have been offered by a Football Bowl Subdivision program and the numbers could certainly grow this spring.
2. Snow postpones events: A winter snowstorm across Southwest Ohio postponed several athletic events, including conference swimming and diving meets and several basketball games Friday and Saturday. Several games had to be rescheduled for Sunday, including the La Salle-Elder boys basketball game. Others will be played early this week. La Salle improved to 14-2 with a 59-45 win over its West Side rival on Sunday. Junior forward Brandon Neel had 21 points and five rebounds for the host Lancers.
3. Ursuline continues to win: The Cincinnati Ursuline girls basketball team has won 16 consecutive games going into this week. The Lions (17-1, 8-1 Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League – Scarlet division) play host to McAuley at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Ursuline is ranked No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll. The Lions are led by senior forward Desirae Ball (12.8 points per game) and junior guard Morgan Donovan (9.6). Ursuline has not won 16 consecutive games in at least 16 years.
4. Ohio State offers junior lineman: Centerville junior offensive lineman Michael Bennett recently picked up a scholarship offer from Ohio State, according to the Dayton Daily News. Bennett, who is 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, also reportedly has offers from Ball State, Duke, Cincinnati, North Carolina State, Wake Forest and Northwestern, according to the Dayton Daily News. "I think it’ll keep growing," Centerville coach Ron Ullery told the publication of the offer list. "He’s that impressive on film."
5. Grace has 10 offers: Cincinnati Colerain junior middle linebacker Jarrett Grace picked up offers from Stanford and Kentucky recently, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Grace, who is 6-4 and 230 pounds, is considered on of the top football players in the state’s 2011 class. He also has offers that include Cincinnati, Boston College, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado and North Carolina State.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Ric McCormick, Deer Park boys bowling: The freshman bowled a 300 match as his team defeated Cincinnati Wyoming 2235 to 2231 on Wednesday. McCormick had a 224 in his second game for a 524 series.
Cory Hunter, Indian Hill boys basketball: The senior center had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Braves’ 59-55 win over host Mariemont. Hunter averaged 12.1 pints and 8.5 rebounds after that game.
Nikki McKee, Wyoming girls basketball: The junior guard had 18 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists in a 48-32 win over Madeira last week. She averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 steals after that game.
Looking ahead
Bellbrook at Fairborn girls basketball, 7:30 p.m. today: Fairborn won two consecutive games going into last weekend. Fairborn (14-3) is led by junior center Jaymee Veney, who averaged 11.1 points and 10.8 rebounds as of last weekend.
Centerville at Huber Heights Wayne, boys basketball, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday: Wayne led the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central division going into the last weekend. Wayne junior Travis Trice averages 20.6 points, 4.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals. Centerville is led by junior forward Matt Sullivan, who averages 11.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Lakota West at Lakota East girls basketball, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday: These two rivals play in Liberty Township in a game that will raise funds for the American Heart Association. This was originally scheduled for Feb. 6, but was postponed due to weather.
More recruiting news
St. Xavier senior defensive back Nick Weston (6-1, 190) committed to Dayton on Wednesday. He was first-team all-Greater Catholic League South division this past season. … Sycamore junior offensive tackle Justin Murray (6-5, 245) has been offered by Ball State. It’s his first offer. … Cincinnati Withrow had eight football players commit to various college programs on Wednesday.
Random thoughts
Cincinnati McAuley girls volleyball coach Patrick Kerley has stepped down after a 71-55 record in five years as head coach. … Northwest plans to name a new football coach at the Board of Education meeting on Feb. 22. … Finneytown has named Darryn Chenault as the new head football coach, pending Board of Education approval. Chenault, 37, is a 1991 Finneytown graduate.
