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Tournament Brings Out Galaxy of Star Players: Ohio State Recruits Not the Only Standouts

Posted on: Thursday, 23 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Mar. 23--Want to see two big pieces of Ohio State's recruiting class? Dayton Dunbar's Daequan Cook and Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph's David Lighty will be here.

Want to see two of the best juniors in the country? North College Hill's O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker are back in town.

How about probably the top player in Division I? Canton McKinley's Raymar Morgan also is back.

The state basketball tournament that begins today is the culmination for the best high-school teams in Ohio. But some years, many of the best players in the state are discarded on the rugged trail to Value City Arena. That's the risk in a team sport.

"It just seems that this year all the big-time players, for the most part, are in the final four," Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce II said. "Other years, they may not have been quite as successful (reaching Columbus)."

Sure, some players such as Upper Sandusky junior Jon Diebler, an Ohio State recruit, didn't make it back to the state tournament. But most of Ohio's best players will have a chance to showcase themselves on Ohio's biggest stage.

"I've been here 10 years and this is probably the top year," said John Stovall of Ohio Prep Spotlight magazine. "Part of it has to do with the strength of the class. The '06 and '07 classes are probably two of the strongest we've had."

The headliner remains Mayo, the gifted point guard and now two-time winner of the Ohio Mr. Basketball award. Mayo has battled a foot injury and pneumonia this season but appears to be healthy now. He averaged almost 29 points and is just as adept as a passer.

Walker might be an even more spectacular player because of his explosiveness and leaping ability. With North College Hill a prohibitive favorite to repeat in Division III, the show Mayo and Walker can put on should keep fans in their seats -- or jumping out of them -- even if the score becomes lopsided.

Almost every game this weekend will involve a marquee player. The game between Lancaster and Trotwood-Madison features three Division I recruits. Trotwood junior forward Chris Wright is Dayton's highest-rated recruit since Brooks Hall seven years ago. He will be tested by the Golden Gales' imposing frontcourt of Brant Leitnaker (Indiana State), Chris McKnight (Akron) and junior Brett McKnight.

The game between Dunbar and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary on Friday also will feature several top prospects -- Cook, Dunbar junior center Aaron Pogue and SVSM's Marcus Johnson, a Dayton recruit. The Johnson-Cook matchup, if they guard each other, should be one of the most fascinating of the tournament.

Cook is a polished player who's willing to do whatever it takes to win.

"If it's scoring, he does that," Dunbar coach Peter Pullen said. "If it's making sure everyone gets involved and we have a mismatch or inside dominance, he makes sure the ball gets in there or drives it in there himself."

Johnson is one of the few players in the state with the athletic ability to match up with Cook.

"He's got a big-time vertical leap," Joyce said. "His shot isn't one of those textbookpretty shots, but it's effective."

Like Mayo, Lighty hasn't been at full strength much of the season. He suffered a torn knee ligament late last season.

Even with the injury, Stovall said, "He's still at least the third-best player in that senior class."

The excellence extends through all four divisions. The best player in Division IV might be South Webster's Nick Aldridge, a Western Carolina recruit who averages almost 23 points.

"He's kind of like a Division IV Raymar (Morgan)," Stovall said. "He can score outside and he can score inside. With his size, athletic ability and skill, they can't check him. That's why the Lockland game is such a great matchup, because Antoine Wilhite can match up with him in size and skill."

Wilhite is a 6-6 junior who's a bit under the radar. So is Camden Miller, a 6-7 junior from Wheelersburg who will play against Lighty's VASJ team in the semifinals.

"He's in Wheelersburg, so most people don't know about him," Stovall said of Miller. "He's extremely talented. He'll be at least a mid-major (recruit). For a kid like Camden Miller, this is tremendous exposure."

Even coaches whose teams are playing will be tempted to hang around and watch all the stars descending on Value City Arena this week.

"I think this field is a great field," Dunbar's Pullen said. "I think the fans will enjoy this and talk about these players way after this weekend."

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

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Source: The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

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