It goes without saying that the St. Paris Graham wrestling team has built a dynasty the past decade. Graham continued its dominance this past weekend by winning its 10th consecutive Division II state title in Columbus.
Graham, ranked among the nation’s best wrestling teams, returned four state champions and five other state placers going into the state meet. The team did not disappoint as it won the Division II state title, its 12th overall in school history, and finished with 223 points.
"I told the guys that we need to go out there and give the (Ohio State University’s) Schottenstein Center what they want to see, so let’s go to work," Graham coach Jeff Jordan told the Springfield News-Sun. "They stepped up and did everything I wanted them to. I couldn’t be more proud of my team."
Graham had six state champions, including Ryan Taylor (103 pounds), Bo Jordan (130), Isaac Jordan (135), Felipe Martinez (140), Huston Evans (171) and Max Thomusseit (189).
Coach Jordan won his ninth state title and moved into fourth place overall behind three other coaches, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
In Division I, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller finished sixth, while Elder was ninth. In Division III, Blanchester’s Jake Howe won the 152-pound state title.
2. Fleming wins 300th game: Cincinnati La Salle boys basketball coach Dan Fleming won his 300th game Friday night as the Lancers defeated Northwest 77-40 in a Division I sectional final. "Plenty of losses in there, too," Fleming told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "What it means is we’ve had a lot of guys coming in and working their tails off for 20 years." Fleming has a record of 300-177 overall, according to the Enquirer. On Friday, La Salle (20-2) was led by junior forward Brandon Neel with 23 points. La Salle plays Woodward in a Division I district final at the University of Dayton Arena at 2 p.m. Saturday.
3. Walnut Hills going to regionals: The Walnut Hills girls basketball team defeated Mason 48-47 to advance to the Division I regional tournament on Tuesday. The Eagles (21-3) play Vandalia Butler at 8 p.m. at Wright State. Walnut Hills, which has won five consecutive games, has won 14 of 15. Senior Phylesha Bullard had a game-high 24 points to lead the Eagles in the Division I district final at Harrison on Saturday.
4. Mack steps down: Colerain (Cincinnati) girls basketball coach Christi Mack announced last week that she is stepping down as the Cardinals head coach. Mack, who is the wife of Xavier University men’s basketball coach Chris Mack, had a 35-10 record the past two seasons at Colerain. Christi said she wants to spend more time with her husband and the family’s two young daughters.
5. Hayes has more than a dozen offers: Archbishop Moeller junior defensive lineman Jesse Hayes has the most scholarship offers of any Cincinnati-area player in the 2011 class. Hayes, who is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, recently added offers from Louisville, Virginia, Nebraska and Arizona. He also has offers from Tennessee, Kansas, West Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and Kent State.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Drew Hall, McNicholas: The sophomore had 13 points, including a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, to lead the Rockets in a 45-44 win over previously undefeated Bethel-Tate in a Division II sectional semifinal, according to the Enquirer.
Will Satterfield, Indian Hill: The senior guard had 23 points and four assists in the Braves’ 76-56 win over league rival Wyoming in a Division II sectional semifinal.
Mervin Taylor, Woodward: The senior guard had a game-high 21 points, including 8-for-8 at the free-throw line, to lead the Bulldogs past Middletown 57-50 in a Division I sectional semifinal.
Looking ahead
Princeton vs. Fairmont (Kettering) girls basketball, 6:15 p.m. Tuesday: These two teams play in a Division I regional semifinal at Wright State University. Princeton (20-2) defeated league rival Sycamore 58-50 in the Division I district final last weekend. Princeton was led by senior guard Kayla Joiner, who had a game-high 23 points for the Vikings. Fairmont (19-2) defeated Miamisburg 52-32 in the district final.
Archbishop Moeller vs. Trotwood-Madison boys basketball, 3:45 p.m. Saturday: These two teams play in a Division I district final at the University of Dayton Arena. Moeller (18-4) defeated Aiken 78-56 in the sectional final. Moeller senior forward Griffin McKenzie (Xavier signee) had 24 points to lead the Crusaders. Trotwood (19-4) defeated Centerville 52-32.
St. Xavier vs. Wayne (Huber Heights) boys basketball, 7 p.m. Saturday: These two teams start the night as part of the Division I district tournament at UD Arena. St. Xavier (12-10) defeated Winton Woods 51-50 in the sectional final last weekend. Wayne (20-2) defeated Xenia 64-54.
Recruiting news
Cincinnati Colerain senior quarterback Greg Tabar (6-0, 180) committed to the College of Mount St. Joseph. …Sycamore senior linebacker Paul Yanow (6-0, 200) has committed to play football at Butler. … Anderson senior quarterback Brandon Bornhauser (6-0, 190) has committed to play football at Morehead State. … Sycamore junior offensive tackle Justin Murray (6-5, 245) has been offered by Minnesota.
Random thoughts
Cincinnati/Hamilton County plans to bid for the OHSAA state football finals, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The current contract for the state football finals in Stark County runs through the 2011 games. … Longtime Badin girls soccer coach Keith Harring stepped down last week. Harring led the Badin program for eight years, including 103 wins and a state title in 2005. … The boys volleyball season begins March 27. Teams were allowed to conduct tryouts starting today.
