Southwest Ohio News and Notes
With AAU in high gear and class of 2017 players coming off the board, the news is coming hot and heavy here in Southwest Ohio. Not only are players coming off the board and making names for themselves in AAU, but job openings are starting to come about as well. Prep Hoops takes a minute to catch you up on some of the news that you may have missed since championship weekend in March.
AAU is in Full Swing:
The action has been hot and heavy as area teams have been traveling across the country playing in various tournaments. Two teams in particular seem to be having outstanding success so far this grassroots season, Ohio Unity 17u and Team One Phenoms 17u. Ohio Unity traveled to Chicago over the weekend and took home 2nd place in the Nike Spring Showdown despite having only six players. Terry Durham (Cincinnati Woodward) along with Dylan Beaugard (Wilmington) both played well during the tourney and are making names for themselves on the circuit. Look for Ohio Unity this weekend as they play in the Pitt Jam in Pittsburgh.
Team One Phenom took him the title at the Circle City Shootout in the Gold Division. Backcourt mates Giovanni Santiago (Cincinnati Hughes) and Dominic “DJ” Brewton (Mt. Healthy) both continue to have outstanding summers for Team One, with each making Prep Hoops first team all- tournament. Brewton really made a positive impression going for 32 points in the semis and 20 points and 9 rebounds in the championship.
Coaching Vacancies:
Three jobs became available in the Cincinnati area within the past month with coaches Darnell Parker (Cincinnati Clark Montessori), David Moss (Sycamore) and Dan Fleming (LaSalle) all leaving their post to pursue other opportunities. No surprise that Coach Fleming is stepping down after being the head coach of the Lancers for 27 years with his CJ finishing up his senior year. Fleming leaves his post with 2 state titles on his resume (1996, 2011) and 381 career victories at LaSalle.
*** Shortly after this article was written, LaSalle announced long time assistant Pat Goedde will be the new head coach of the Lancers. Coach Goedde is an alumni of the LaSalle program, class of 1991.
College Commitments:
The commitments are coming fast and furious, so to keep you up to date here is a list of recent commitments.
Division I
Torrey Patton, Trotwood Madison- University of Akron
Sam Martin, Cincinnati Summit Country Day- University of Cincinnati (Preferred Walk-On)
James Manns, Kingston Academy (Middletown) – Wright State
Division II
Eddie Puisis, Mason- Nova Southeastern University
Division III
Jacob McElfresh, Cincinnati Clark Montessori- Mount Saint Joseph
JUCO
Marcus Barton, Cincinnati Aiken- Allegany College
Virgil Lackey, Cincinnati Taft- Labette Community College
NAIA
TJ Walker, Cincinnati Summit Country Day- Mount Vernon Nazarene College
As always check the Prep Hoops website for all your high school news and notes.