SPORTS Neel adds to resume
July 6, 2011
HIGH SCHOOL | YOUTH | Editor Melanie Laughman | mlaughman@communitypress.com | 248-7573
Delhi-Price Hill Press
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AREA ATHLETES NAMED LAROSA’S MVP FINALISTS
Leonard a top player at Mercy
By Tony Meale
tmeale@communitypress.com
By Tony Meale tmeale@communitypress.com
Brandon Neel added another honor to his already impressive athletic resume. The 2011 La Salle High School graduate was named a finalist for the 25th A n n u a l LaRosa’s MVP of the Year award – one of the oldest prepssports honNeel ors in the Greater Cincinnati area. Neel – along with seniorto-be Adolphus Washington (Taft) and 2011 grads Jarrett Grace (Colerain), Jake Giesler (Newport Central Catholic), Steven Zimmerman (Little Miami) and Zach Wills (Mason) – were recognized at the annual Buddy LaRosa’s Sports Hall of Fame Banquet June 26 at CET studios in Cincinnati. Finalists were nominated by area high schools, coaches and fans. Wills, who won five state running titles during his time at Mason, was named the winner. He will run at Oklahoma State University, home of the defending NCAA cross country national champions. “It was an honor to be up for the award with all of these great athletes,” Neel said. “It was great just to have a chance to win.” Although Neel did not win, he nevertheless enjoyed a stellar high school career. As a senior, Neel led La Salle’s basketball team to the second state title in program history and the first since 1996. He scored 45 points at
JOSEPH FUQUA II/STAFF
La Salle High School 2011 graduate Brandon Neel was a finalist for the LaRosa’s Athlete of the Year award. As a senior, he led the Lancers to their second state basketball title in school history. the state tournament (23 in the semis and 22 in the final) en route to being named MVP. He averaged 14.3 points per game and led the Greater Catholic LeagueSouth division in scoring for the second consecutive sea-
son. He was Division I Player of the Year in Cincinnati and honorable mention all-state. Neel plans to play college basketball but remains undecided on a school. The LaRosa’s award has recognized elite area ath-
letes since 1986. Of the 242 finalists who had been recognized by LaRosa’s entering this year, 20 have become professional athletes, six have won Olympic medals and nine have won NCAA championships.
Erika Leonard, perhaps the top softball player in Mother of Mercy High School history, was named a finalist for the 25th Annual LaRosa’s MVP of the Year award – one of the oldest preps-sports honors in the Greater Cincinnati area. “Just to be nominated was a great honor,” Leonard said. “It’s crazy to even think about. There are so many people out there who are wonderful athletes, and for them to pick me as a finalist out of all those girls, it’s an honor.” Leonard – along with fellow 2011 grads Anna Carrington (Campbell County), Kori Moster (Ursuline), Lauren Tibbs (Scott), Ellen Williamson (Notre Dame Academy) and Emily Wright (Mason) – were recognized at the annual Buddy LaRosa’s Sports Hall of Fame Banquet June 26 at CET studios in Cincinnati. Finalists were nominated by area high schools, coaches and fans. Williamson, an eight-time Kentucky state swimming champion, was named the winner. Ranked No. 10 in the United States for the Class of 2011 by CollegeSwimming.com, Williamson, an academic All-American, will swim at the University of Virginia. “She definitely deserved it,” Leonard said. “She (did very well) in swimming.” The 2011 list of LaRosa’s finalists was the most competitive in recent memory. Carrington was a 10-time Kentucky track champion, Moster was AllAmerican in volleyball, Tibbs was a McDonald’s AllAmerican basketball nomi-
Hamilton summer league team no average ‘Joes’ By Nick Dudukovich ndudukovich@communitypress.com
HAMILTON - At Hamilton’s Foundation Field, there’s a group of guys who couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a summer. The names and the faces are familiar to any high school baseball fan. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that members of the Hamilton Joes collegiate summer league team were dazzling prep diamonds across the greater Cincinnati area. There’s former Princeton High School standout Marcus Davis, who just wrapped up his first season at Walters State Community College in Tennessee. He’s hitting .283 with four extra base hits.
The Joes’ left fielder says he’s had fun playing this summer while working to improve his individual skills. He also feels lucky to spend his summer playing ball, while many of his friends are taking summer classes or working summer jobs. “I really enjoy (playing),” he said. “(I’ll) try to play the game as long as you can because it’s better than having a real-world job,” Davis said. Former Glen Este High School graduate and 2009 Fort Ancient Valley Conference player of the year Matt Marksberry is there too. Working out of relief, Marksberry, who attends Campbell University (North Carolina) has three saves
and 11 strikeouts for the Joes in 14 innings. “(Playing this summer) is awesome,” Marksberry said. “It’s something people dream about and (I) get to do it everyday. It’s pretty cool.” Moeller High School alum Ethan McAlpine, who plays outfield for the Joes, shares his teammates’ enthusiasm. After redshirting his freshman season at the University of Cincinnati because of injury, McAlpine relished the opportunity to play competitively this summer. “This is a lot of fun. Everybody’s here because they love baseball and possibly want to have a career in baseball. It’s just a lot of fun to come out here and do something you love,” he
said. McAlpine is making the most of his time with Joes and led the team with a .358 average through 15 games. He also had six stolen bases. Like McAlpine, former Anderson High School standout Josh Jeffery is also beating the cover off the ball. Through 23 at bats, Jeffrey had eigh hits to go along with seven RBI. The University of Dayton senior-to-be is using the summer to get prepared for his next season of college ball. “It’s about getting better so I’m prepared for when I go back to school,” he said. All agree that those who watch a Joes game will notice heightened competition in the summer league
level because the Joes aren’t just competing against their opponents, they are competing against each other for playing time. With college coaches watching the summer stats closely, all of the Joes want to be on the field. “Everybody at your position can go out and play,” McAlpine said. “You’ve got to do your best everytime you go out there.” Marksberry agreed. “Most of the people that play in this league are tyring to get drafted, so the competition is amazing,” he said. All would contend that playing for the Joes in the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League ultimately makes them a better player. “To ... get to play in a
Leonard
nee and Wright was the first female golfer in Cincinnati history to earn medalist honors at the state
tournament. And then were was Leonard, who lives in Colerain. The Florida State-recruit helped the Bobcats, which went 22-3 and advanced to regionals, to their best season in school history this past spring. She was a four-time batting champion in the Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet division, set numerous school records, was named Cincinnati Division II Softball Player of the Year as a junior, and a as a senior was named first-team all-state. A former LaRosa’s MVP of the Week, Leonard was also invited to play in the Club USA Tournament in Hawaii, where she finished first in the National High School Home Run Derby. She is currently playing summer ball for the Gold Coast Hurricanes, which travels all over the country. Leonard is the only Ohioan on the team. Although she did not win the LaRosa’s award, Leonard is in good hands. Of the 242 finalists who have been recognized by LaRosa’s entering this year, 20 have played professionally, six have won Olympic medals and nine have won NCAA championships. “I just want to thank all the people that have made a difference in my life – my dad, my mom and all the people who have been there for me and pushed me to be the best I can be,” Leonard said.
Joes’ facts
• Through 17 games, the Joes posted a 7-10 record and were in fourth place of the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League South Division • The Joes won the 2010 GLCSL championship. • The Joes are named after legendary Cincinnati Reds broadcaster player, Joe Nuxhall, who was a native of Hamilton • Foundation Field serves as the home stadium for the Joes. • Players are suggested to Joes' manager Darrel Grissom by college coaches. Ultimately, Grissom selects the players that he believes can best help his team. • The Joes played their first game in June 2009. competive league with a great group of guys, it’s a great opportunity,” Jeffery said.
SIDELINES Pitchers and catchers camp
Join Elder High School’s Mark Thompson and his coaching staff at The Western Sports Mall pitching and catching clinic from 10 a.m. to noon, July 18-21. Cost is $80 and includes a camp T-shirt. Deadline to register is July 15. Space is limited. Pitching and catching mechanics will be improved. Pitchers: • Learn/improve techniques to
increase velocity • Improve control • Field their position • Prevent arm injuries. Catchers: • Learn / Improve mechanics of throwing • Receiving • Blocking • Controlling the game Participants need to bring a glove and wear gym shoes. Catchers will need to bring their gear. Visit westernsportsmall.com (special events); call 451-4900 or e-mail
cmitchell@fuse.net for more details.
Lacrosse camp
Join Seton’s JV coaches Kelly Moellinger and Tiffany Godlove for a Lacrosse camp at the Western Sports Mall July 18-21. Cost is $50 and includes a camp T-shirt. • Middle school girls – sixth-eighth grades (ages 12-14), 1-2:30 p.m. This camp is designed for the beginner player or player who has some experience. The camp offers instruc-
tion and training in the skills and techniques for throwing, catching, cradling, shooting, ground balls, offensive and defensive skills, shooting and basic concepts of the game. Each day is designed to develop skills and lacrosse knowledge in an atmosphere that promotes learning, competition and fun. • For young beginner players – third-fifth grades (ages 8-11), 10:30 a.m. to noon. Designed for the beginner player, the camp is a fun introduction to the game of lacrosse, and teaches basic skills, field position and
rules of the game. Age appropriate drills and games will be used. Equipment to bring: goggles, mouth guard, lacrosse stick, cleats and water bottle. Deadline for registration is July 15. Space is limited. Visit westernsportsmall.com (special events); call 4514900 or e-mail cmitchell@fuse.net for more details.
Komen golf outing
The Susan G. Komen Golf Outing at the Delhi Park 3 Golf Course is 8
a.m., Saturday, July 9. Players can begin play throughout the day. Cost is $29. Each participant will receive a subscription to one of four Conde Nast magazine publications: “Golf Digest,” “Architectural Digest,” “Bon Appetit” or “Self Magazine” along with a bag of golf accessories. Call the Delhi Par 3 to register for this charitable golf outing benefiting Susan G. Komen at 941-9827 or come the day of the event and play is throughout the day.