Burrows, McCray, Lisle among rivals.com top 100 football Class of 2013 recruits

By Marc Pendleton | Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 04:11 PM

Three area juniors have cracked today’s latest release of the Rivals.com football Class of 2013 Prospect Rankings.

Trotwood-Madison High School defensive back Cameron Burrows is listed as the No. 7 overall top prospect. Teammate Mike McCray, a linebacker, is No. 44 and Centerville offensive lineman Evan Lisle No. 83.

Burrows, 6-1, 195, has verbally committed to Ohio State University.

McCray, 6-4, 230, has not committed but has at least 11 offers. Nebraska was the latest to make a pitch for him just this past Monday.

According to rivals.com, McCray also has received offers from Boston College, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Toledo and Virginia.

Lisle, 6-6, 265, also has not committed. He has offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

In addition, Middletown quarterback Jalin Marshall is ranked No. 41. He’s listed as an “athlete” and also is projected as a wide receiver or running back. Like Burrows, he has verbally committed to OSU.

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Falcons 1982 boys state title basketball team to be honored on Friday

By Marc Pendleton | Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 04:00 PM

The following is a release:

On Friday night, Bishop Fenwick High School will relive a part of their proud past, by celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their Class A State Championship Basketball Title.

The 1982 Class A State High School Boy Basketball Championship Team will be honored at the home basketball game at half time on Friday evening; a reception will follow the game with a film of the game and the homecoming welcome of the Middletown community.

Saluted that evening also will be the Varsity Cheerleaders of 1982 who cheered their Falcons on to the Falcons 1st State Championship title.

Members of that State Championship Team were: Brian McQuinn ‘83, Joe Acra ‘83, Jay Byrne ‘82, Brian Clark ‘83, John Jorden ‘83, Marty McQuinn ‘84, Joe Rossi ‘83, Omer Hurlbert ‘82, Tony Fink ‘82, Eddie Watson ‘83, Todd Lemmel ‘83 and Tim Jorden ‘85.

The late Coach John ‘Butch’ Rossi was the Basketball Coach at that time; Assistant Coaches were Tony Esposito, and current basketball varsity coach Pat Kreke. Ted Parrella was the team manager.

The Varsity Cheerleaders at that time for Fenwick were Tina Amatulli, Anita Chase, Cindy DeNardo, Corinne Gallagher, Lisa Lantis, Kathie Miller, and Theresa Rossi.

Everyone is invited to the game on Friday evening for the halftime introductions and the reception immediately following the game. The Varsity Game begins at 7:30 pm with the Falcons taking on Hamilton Badin.

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Centerville to host Ohio vs. Kentucky Classic on Saturday

By Marc Pendleton | Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 12:00 PM

The girls basketball teams from Springboro, Beavercreek, Centerville and Chaminade Julienne all will be part of the 4th Ohio vs. Kentucky Classic at Centerville on Saturday. It will be the final games of the regular season for the four area teams.

The Schedule:

3:15 p.m. Springboro vs. Ryle (20-4); Ryle’s Jenna Crittendon has signed with Xavier University.

4:45 p.m. Beavercreek vs. Walton-Verona (22-5); W-V won the Kentucky Class A state championship last weekend.

6:15 p.m. Centerville vs. Christian Academy of Louisville (16-10); CAL is led by junior China Dow, who averages 25 points.

7:45 p.m. CJ vs. Scott County (11-16).

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and students. No passes will be accepted.

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Trotwood TE/LB McCray gets offer from Oklahoma

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 09:00 PM

Several national recruiting sites have reported that Trotwood-Madison High School football standout Michael McCray received an offer from the University of Oklahoma on Monday.

The Sooners head coach is Youngstown native Bob Stoops.

Junior Michael McCray is a dual TE/LB threat for the Rams. Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard

“I usually get mail from them but never talked to them before, so that was the first time ever hearing they wanted to talk to me,” McCray told ESNP Insider.

According to MaxPreps.com, the junior tight end/linebacker has at least 11 offers, including from Oklahoma, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Syracuse and Tennessee. Ohio State is not among the programs to offer McCray.

Last month Rams junior cornerback Cam Burrows verbally committed to the Buckeyes. He became the first player in the OSU recruiting class of 2013 to be landed by new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer.

McCray, 6-4, 230, was a first-team All-Ohioian at linebacker last season. He was a major contributor in the Rams winning the Division II state title and going 15-0.

His father, also Michael McCray, was an OSU linebacker and captain of the 1987 Buckeyes.

Trotwood senior defensive back George “Bam” Bradley last week signed with Pittsburgh. He’ll join his brother, freshman linebacker Nicholas “Freezer” Grigsby at Pitt.

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Ladd indefinitely takes over for Fogle at Trotwood-Madison

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 08:00 PM

Former athletic director Jim Ladd has been asked by Trotwood-Madison High School officials to fill in for current AD Guy Fogle for an undetermined amount of time.

Guy Fogle. Staff Photo by Ty Greenlees

Ladd said Tuesday night that he was asked last week to indefinitely fill the position. He referred questions to school administration.

Kevin Bell, the school district’s Acting Superintendent, confirmed that Fogle is still the high school AD and is on leave.

Fogle was hired last spring to the position following Ladd’s retirement from the school district. Fogle, 50, came to Trotwood after resigning as executive director of the Western Ohio Television Consortium, Piqua’s main cable access channel.

Fogle also has worked for WKEF, WDTN and WHIO in their newsrooms. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination to the party’s candidate for Congress, 3rd District, two years ago against incumbent Republican Mike Turner.

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Springboro’s Ryan Coates signs to play soccer at Evansville

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 07:00 PM

Springboro High School senior Ryan Coates has signed to play soccer at the University of Evansville.

At the signing were Brian Kohen (left), Director of Coaching at Northern Warren County Soccer Club, Springboro coach Paul Bohaboy, Ryan Coates and parents Becky and Ron Coates. Contributed photo.

Coates is a three-year starter and helped the Panthers win the GWOC South Division title last season.

A team captain, Coates voted the team’s MVP and also was named All-GWOC first team, All-Miami Valley first team and All-Ohio second team.

He currently plays club soccer for the Blast FC in Columbus. He played youth soccer for six years with the Northern Warren County Soccer Club.

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USSSA umpire classes start Feb. 15 at Beavercreek H.S.

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 06:00 PM

The following is a release:

The Beavercreek Officials Association will conduct softball umpire classes starting on Feb. 15. Classes are held each Wednesday at Beavercreek High School for eight weeks, including two outdoor mechanics’ clinics and testing.

Classes are open to veteran and rookie umpires, as well as team managers and players looking to better understand USSSA rules.

There is no charge for attendance; USSSA licensing is $60 per year.

For more information, call Calvin Oliver at (937) 657-3059 or George Flake at (937) 429-3115.

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Urbana’s Lacy scores 40, ties Oakwood’s Motto for 9th all-time 3-pointers in a season

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 05:00 PM

Trischa Lacy of Urbana continues to climb the area girls record for most 3-pointers in a season.

A 5-9 junior guard, Lacy scored 40 points and had six 3-pointers in Monday’s 74-67 defeat of Kenton.

Urbana’s Trischa Lacy needs just six treys to surpass Stephanie Bennett of Kenton Ridge as the area’s all-time 3-point shooter in a single season. Staff Photo by Bill Lackey

That pads her season total of 3-pointers to 84. According to records posted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, that ties her for ninth all-time in Ohio with former Oakwood standout Nicole Motto (1997-98).

The all-time single-season mark is held by Canfield’s Jenny Kulics who nailed 106 treys in the 1991-92 season. The area record for most 3-pointers made in a season is 89 by Stephanie Bennett of Kenton Ridge (2002-03).

Urbana has two regular-season game remaining. The Hillclimbers host Stebbins on Wednesday and Indian Lake on Saturday. Urbana, 12-6 and a No. 6 seed, plays fifth-seeded Eaton at 6 p.m. in Monday’s Division II sectional opener at Xenia.

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CJ’s Emily Michael commits to St. Bonaventure to play basketball

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 03:20 PM

Chaminade Julienne High School guard Emily Michael has committed to play basketball at St. Bonaventure University.

A four-year starter, the 5-foot-8 senior is averaging 9.6 points for the Eagles (16-2). A great outside shooter, she has made 40 of 98 3-pointers (41 percent).

CJ’s Raytea Long (left) is headed to Vanderbilt and Emily Michael (right) to St. Bonaventure. Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard

She also averaged 2.9 steals and 2.2 assists. The Bonnies are 22-2 and lead the Atlantic-10 Conference at 9-0.

Senior teammate Raytea Long, a 6-foot center, has already signed with Vanderbilt.

CJ hosts Carroll (18-1) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in which should decide the GGCL North championship. The Patriots are 9-0 in league play; the Eagles 8-1. Carroll beat CJ 59-51 in their first-round matchup.

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Carroll, CJ girls basketball fans encouraged to show ‘White Out’ solidarity at Wednesday’s game

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, February 6, 2012, 04:32 PM

The following is a release:

Officials from Carroll and Chaminade Julienne high school are encouraging all fans to wear white to Wednesday night’s girls basketball game at CJ in a show of camaraderie and community spirit between the two area Catholic high schools.

The “White Out” theme, a student-driven initiative meant as a mutual sign of empathy in acknowledgement of recent tragedies including the unexpected deaths of three young people close to the Carroll community, was approved by administrators at both schools Monday said Scott Pierce, CJ athletic director.

“We felt this was an appropriate way of showing our solidarity with members of the Carroll High School community in the wake of their loss this fall,” Pierce said.

In November, a Carroll senior and a recent alumna were killed after their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. Two months later, a former Carroll student and member of St. Peter Catholic Church passed away unexpectedly at age 19.

A special prayer will be read and a moment of silence will be observed for the victims and their families before the 7:30 p.m. tip off.

CJ students serving on the school’s Spirit Committee — many of whom have close relationships with Carroll families — organized the White Out to highlight the common ground uniting each faith-based school. The game also coincides with the conclusion Catholic Schools Week, which was celebrated Jan. 29 through Feb. 5.

Tickets have been reduced to $5 for adults and $3 for students, and are available at the door.

The CJ freshman will play Springboro at 4:30 p.m., followed by two games against Carroll starting with the JV at 6 p.m. and the varsity immediately after.

The outcome of will decide the champion of the GGCL Grey North. The Eagles (16-2, 8-1) trail the Patriots by one game and can earn a share of the title with a win. Carroll (17-1, 9-0) is ranked No. 1 in the Division II state poll while CJ is ranked No. 7 (as of Jan. 31).

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National Trail to host TV South in Coaches vs. Cancer Classic

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, February 6, 2012, 12:19 PM

National Trail will host Twin Valley South in girls basketball Thursday, Feb. 9, in what also will serve as the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Raffles, door prizes and a 3-point shooting competition will be held. Among the raffle prizes donated by Reid Hospital are: a free 50-minute massage; a free mammogram; a free lung screening; an internet netbook; and gift baskets.

Door prizes include onion blossoms from Texas Roadhouse, free burritos ot tacos from Chipotle, 50 free wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, a $25 gift card to Ace Hardware and more.

It also will be senior night for National Trail players Makayla Abner, Erin Baker, Sarah Drew and Rikki Foust.

The JV game starts at 6 p.m. followed by the varsity at 7:30 p.m.

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OHSAA’s Competitive Balance Committee to extend study

By Marc Pendleton | Friday, February 3, 2012, 03:17 PM

The Competitive Balance Committee, headed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, decided on Tuesday that it will continue to study the disproportional amount of state championships won by private schools compared to public schools.

The CBC was established in January 2010 after another study was presented to the OHSAA. That study concluded that a majority of titles were being won by non-public schools, even though those schools comprised just 17 percent of Ohio’s high schools.

A referendum was narrowly voted down by membership principals last spring. The proposal addressed school boundary, socioeconomic and tradition factors that would determine divisions for schools.

The committee also addressed a proposed referendum that would separate public and private schools in OHSAA tournaments.

“We had some very healthy, open dialogue,” OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross said in a release on Friday.

“I believe everyone on the committee felt as though we had a chance to review all of the issues and concerns that have come up since last spring’s referendum voting, the August survey that was conducted with over 300 member school principals and recent meetings of both a competitive balance subcommittee and a committee to study the enrollment disparity that exists in Division I. We even addressed how some legislative issues that have been raised could impact Ohio’s schools.”

The CBC will provide an update to the OHSAA Board of Directors at their Feb. 15 meeting. The committee will meet later in February to determine what course of action to pursue following the Board of Directors’ review.

“It is possible a referendum issue dealing with competitive balance could be placed on the ballot for the May voting by the membership,” Dr. Ross said, “but at this point it’s premature to speculate what, if any, proposal the Board of Directors may approve.”

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Miamisburg chooses former Edgewood coach Steve Channell as football coach

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, February 2, 2012, 05:19 PM

Longtime former Edgewood coach Steve Channell was chosen to be Miamisburg High School’s new head football on Thursday. His hiring is expected to be approved by the board of education at its Feb. 16 regular meeting.

Channell replaces Tim Lewis who resigned after the Vikings went 2-8 last season.

Steve Channell spent 21 seasons as the head coach at Edgewood H.S. Staff Photo by Samantha Grier

Channell’s hiring is the third of four head coach openings in the Greater Western Ohio Conference following the end of last season. Scot Brewer has succeeded Steve Nolan at Troy and most recently Chris Newman was hired at West Carrollton following the resignation of Rob Berger.

Springfield has yet to name a head coach after Adam Taylor announced that he would not be back after one season.

Channell was Edgewood’s head coach for 21 mostly successful seasons and compiled a 152-79 record. His teams won 11 conference titles and advanced to the playoffs 10 times. Edgewood was a state finalist in 2003 and played in state semifinals three other seasons.

He was an assistant at Middletown last season.

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Trotwood’s Bradley signs with Pitt, rejoins brother

By Marc Pendleton | Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 03:48 PM

George “Bam” Bradley will reconnect with older brother Nicholas “Freezer” Grigsby at the University of Pittsburgh.

Bradley, a prized defensive back recruit from Trotwood-Madison High School, signed with Pitt during Wednesday’s National Signing Day. Grigsby, a teammate of Bradley’s at Trotwood, was a freshman linebacker at Pitt this past season.

Among the many offers Bradley had were from Ohio State and Stanford. Just last weekend he visited the University of Arizona.

Bradley’s signing was the only surprise during Wednesday’s Greater Western Ohio Conference Signing Day ceremony at the Huber Heights Athletic Foundation Center. The event honored 15 players from throughout the conference who signed to play college football.

Ifeadi Odenigbo of Centerville did not attend because he’s at Austin, Texas, preparing for today’s International Bowl as a member of Team USA. He signed with Northwestern.

Also not attending were Marcus Foster of Troy (Cincinnati) and Kaleb Ringer of Northmont (Michigan), both of whom graduated early.

Those attending the ceremony were Taylor Decker (OSU), Mile Eaton (Ball State) and Nick Simones (Butler) of Vandalia Butler; Benny McGowan (Michigan State) and Jay Mastin (Miami) of Centerville; Jake Bennett (Bowling Green) of Lebanon; Zach Myers (Kentucky) of Miamisburg; Jordan Freeser (Youngstown State) and Travis Nees (Toledo) of Piqua; Armani Miller (Toledo) of Wayne; and James Sanford (Bowling Green) of Xenia.

The football signing period runs through April 1. The signing period for field hockey, soccer, track and field and cross country also began Wednesday and is extended through Aug. 1.

The early signing period for basketball was last November.

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Brawl at Fairborn results in season-ending injury to Miamisburg player

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 30, 2012, 12:40 PM

A brawl during last Friday’s boys high school basketball game between Fairborn and visiting Miamisburg has resulted in a season-ending facial injury to Vikings junior Austin McCoy.

The incident erupted following a loose-ball scramble midway through the fourth quarter in the contest at Fairborn’s Memorial Fieldhouse. Fairborn players rushed the court and were followed by a large contingent of Fairborn fans, mostly students. McCoy was struck in the face while standing near the pile of players and fans.

Miamisburg head coach Tim Fries said that McCoy remains at Sycamore Hospital and is scheduled to undergo facial surgery on Tuesday.

The male who allegedly struck McCoy was apprehended by Fairborn police at the game. He reportedly has been suspended from school for 10 days and will be recommended to be expelled. Fairborn prosecutors are reviewing the incident to determine if charges will be filed.

The incident remains under investigation.

The only on-court penalty assessed were two technical fouls on Fairborn’s Billy Jackson. As per Ohio High School Athletic Association rules, he’ll be ineligible to play Fairborn’s next two games. There were no player ejections, but seven Fairborn players and two Miamisburg players were suspended one game each for leaving their bench during the incident.

Tuesday’s junior varsity game at Fairborn against visiting Troy has been canceled because several JV players will suit up for the varsity game due to the suspensions. The freshman game will be played at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity game.

Miamisburg hosts Bellbrook on Tuesday.

GWOC Commissioner Eric Spahr said he’s still reviewing tape of the incident and more player penalties might be forthcoming.

The game was completed and Fairborn won, 69-55.

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Public all-session ticket sales begin Monday for state wrestling tournament

By Marc Pendleton | Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 02:59 PM

The following is a release:

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Public all-session ticket sales for the 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament begin Monday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m., and plenty of tickets are expected to be available. The state tournament is March 1, 2 and 3 at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus. The cost for an all-session ticket book (five sessions) is $75 each for the Entry and Club Levels and $55 each for the Terrace Level.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Ticketmaster locations (including most Kroger stores), by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by going on-line at ticketmaster.com. Ticketmaster orders will also include applicable service charges. To avoid service charges, tickets can be purchased in person at the OSU Athletic Ticket Office, located in the southeast corner of the Schottenstein Center with office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Single-session ticket sales for the state tournament begin on Monday, February 20, at 10:00 a.m., with tickets priced at $15 each. Single-session tickets can be purchased by following the same procedures listed above for all-session ticket orders. A large quantity of single-session tickets is also expected.

The 75th Annual OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament schedule is as follows: Thursday, March 1: Session 1 — 3:00-Division III Preliminaries; 4:20-Division II Preliminaries; 5:50-Division I Preliminaries; 7:20-Division III Consolation Round 1; 8:00-Division II Consolation Rounds 1; 8:45-Division I Consolation Round 1; Friday, March 2: Session 2 — 10:00-Division III Quarterfinals; 10:40-Division II Quarterfinals; 11:25-Division I Quarterfinals; 12:15-Division III Consolation Round 2; 1:00-Division II Consolation Round 2; 1:45-Division I Consolation Round 2; Session 3 — 6:30-All Divisions Championship Semifinals; 8:50-All Divisions Consolation Quarterfinals; and Saturday, March 3: Session 4 — 10:00-All Divisions Consolation Semifinals; 11:00-All Divisions Third-, Fifth- and Seventh-Place Matches; Session 5 — 5:15-Hall of Fame Ceremonies and Parade of Champions; 5:45-All Divisions First-Place Matches.

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Troy to host 4 basketball games on Sat.

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 23, 2012, 07:00 PM

Troy will host four basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 28. The varsity boys game has been rescheduled from last Friday’s postponement.

3 p.m. Troy girls freshmen vs. Vandalia Butler.

4:30 p.m. Troy girls JV vs. Trotwood-Madison.

6 p.m. Troy girls varsity vs. Trotwood-Madison.

7:30 p.m. Troy boys varsity vs. Trotwood-Madison.

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No. 2 Creek facing schedule upgrade, beginning with No. 1 Boro on Tuesday

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 23, 2012, 06:00 PM

The following is from contributing writer Dave Long:

A crooked smile comes to John Ahrns face when he reflects on the current status of his Beavercreek boys high school basketball team

“Considering what we’ve been though the last couple of years, it’s pretty remarkable,” said the fourth-year coach. “I’m sure we’ll see some adversity in this stretch. How we handle it will show how much we’re growing as a team.”

Creek is in its most important stretch of games. Tuesday the Beavers (10-2), No. 2 in the DDN Division I ratings, host No. 1 Springboro (11-2).

That Greater Western Ohio Conference crossover game is the biggest home game for Creek in recent years. Thursday the Beavers, leaders in the GWOC Central at 6-0, host Wayne. The Warriors are 5-9, 3-3 in the GWOC Central.

Wayne, the defending divisional champs, started slow but is playing well, winning three of its last five. It should be interesting to see how Ahrns’ team reacts emotionally in that after the battle with Boro.

Next week Creek hosts Dayton Thurgood Marshall on Tuesday, Jan. 31, one of the best Division II teams in the state, before going to Northmont in a game that could decide the GWOC Central title.

Divisional championship talk is quite a difference from the last three seasons when the Beavers went 2-8, 1-9 and 0-10 in the GWOC Central. The overall records those seasons were 8-13, 2-19 and 3-18.

“It could be a completely different story at the end of the season, but right now it’s a darn good feeling being in this position,” said Ahrns. “These kids have come a long way and keep getting better.”

Ahrns won’t say it, but the present success is also part vindication for him and his coaching staff. They were seriously criticized in the community the past three years about the status of what had been a highly competitive program on a consistent level.

“This year we have basketball players — guards who can take care of the ball, decent shooters and good post players,” Ahrns said. “The last couple of years we’ve had good athletes, but not necessarily good basketball players.”

Creek’s Ryan Sedlar is a driving force on offense. Photo by E.L. Hubbard

And most of those good players are young. Ryan Sedlar, a 6-3 guard, is the only senior starter. Other starters are Jalen Camper (6-3, junior), Kyle Rader (6-2, junior), Tyler Reasoner (6-4, so.) and Jarred Waters (6-3, so). Airius Moore (5-11, so.) and Zack Rower (6-8, so.) are top players off the bench.

Sedlar is having an outstanding year, averaging 9.8 points, 6.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

“He’s our key,” said Ahrns. “Ryan is an old fashioned, take control point guard. Sometimes we tend to get a little out of control, get out of the flow of the offense and force things.

“Ryan has really stepped up and helped us maintain our composure. It showed last Friday in our win at Centerville (54-45). We struggled on offense the first half. But he made sure we got into that offensive rhythm the second half and kept hustling on defense. Real senior leadership.”

Camper is the leading scorer at 15.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. Rader is at 12.2 ppg, Reasoner at 9.5 ppg and 6.9 reb., Moore at 9.4 and Waters at 5.3 points and 4.9 boards.

Camper and Moore are the quickest and can score by attacking the basket or hitting the 3-pointer. Reasoner and Waters have become good inside players.

One aspect of the Creek offense that Ahrns puts emphasis on is taking the 12-15 foot jumper inside the 3-point circle. That is a quaint thought in much of basket now in which the only acceptable scoring modes are either the slam or the trey.

The Creek players don’t appear to be candidates to win dunk or 3-point shooting contests. So being good mid-range shooters may be old school, but it works. It also opens the floor for players attacking off the baseline.

Creek is averaging 65.1 points compared to 51.1 points last year.

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Versailles’ Prakel Gatorade Ohio cross country runner of the year

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 23, 2012, 05:00 PM

Sam Prakel of Versailles has been named the Gatorade Ohio Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. The junior won the Division II state title last fall (15:19.34).

Sam Prakel won the D-II state cross country title last fall. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

He also was 14th in the Nike Midwest Regional and 80th in the Foot Locker Midwest Regional.

Prakel owns a 4.0 GPA and is ranked No. 1 in his class.

“He is as driven, focused and self-motivated a student athlete as you will ever find,” said Tigers coach Mark Pleiman.

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Tipp softball standout CeCilia Alvarez to sign with Southeastern CC

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 23, 2012, 04:00 PM

Tippecanoe High School senior Cecilia Alvarez will sign a National Letter of Intent to play softball for Southeastern Community College at Burlington, Iowa.

Alvarez led Tipp (27-6) in batting average (.516), at-bats (122), runs (41), hits (63) and stolen bases (16). A pitcher/outfielder, she was the CBC’s player of the year last season. She had a won/loss record of 18-3 with 169 strikeouts in 143.1 innings.

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Thurgood Marshall, DC cited for violating OHSAA rules

By Marc Pendleton | Monday, January 23, 2012, 02:34 PM

Dayton Christian and Thurgood Marshall were among four schools that have received penalties from the OHSAA for violating association bylaws or regulations. The OHSAA board of directors announced the infractions and penalties during their January meeting.

Marshall’s varsity boys basketball team had to forfeit three victories because for violating the transfer bylaw 4-7-2. The Cougars also had to forfeit four junior varsity games.

DC’s middle school girls volleyball had five members participate in excess of the limit of non-interscholastic programs after the season’s completion. Those students are ineligible to play in seven regular-season matches next season.

Also, found in violation of OHSAA enrollment rules was the Richmond Heights girls varsity basketball team and Powell Olentangy Liberty for not providing proper transfer documents. Liberty was fined $100.

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Trotwood CB Cameron Burrows verbally commits to OSU

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, January 19, 2012, 06:00 PM

TROTWOOD - Cameron Burrows of Trotwood-Madison High School verbally committed to play football at Ohio State University on Thursday afternoon.

Just a junior, he is the first Buckeyes recruit for the Class of 2013 to commit for new coach Urban Meyer.

Cameron Burrows picked OSU over Michigan, Alabama and LSU, among others. Staff photo by Marc Pendleton

Burrows is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback. He’s a consensus top five pick in the nation by national recruiting services at his position.

He plans on graduating early and enrolling at OSU in January 2013. He said that he chose the Buckeyes over LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee and Oregon, among others.

He is the first Ram to commit to OSU since tight end John Lumpkin of the mid-1990’s.

Burrows was just one of many key Trotwood players in last fall’s 15-0 run to the Division II state championship.

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