Summer Heat: New C-J Transfer, OSU Commit: "We want to Play Cupps & Law;"...Who is Lighting Up Summer AAU Circuit?.. C-J Makin Moves in Baseball

 With high school literally ending, here are the hottest topics on the High School side in the Miami Valley at the end of May. 

(1) OSU Commit Headed to C-J Pops Off At Cupps, Law 

George Washington III, one of three up and coming ballers coming from Texas, will be transferring to C-J this year, per the reports.

Washington, a junior PG, who has already committed to Ohio State, came in blazing after a recent interview. 

Washington was asked about facing Cupps and Law, and said, "How good is Cupps and Centerville? I want to see myself." We want to play them." He's the best? We will see." 

While Washington is a top 50 player and a beast, a lot of guys have "Challenged Cupps" and to no avail. 

While Cupps is one thing, Law is another, as they also mentioned his name in the convo as well.

Be careful young bull, because to be honest? Law and Cupps are rated much lower than they should in those ESPN rankings. 

That C-J vs Centerville game should be amazing this season. Or C-J and Wayne. And while George is the oldest of the 3 brothers, make no mistake; they all can play and will for the Eagles as well. They will join star G Evan Dickey after Jonathan Powell is heading to Centerville to play with the Elks. 

(2) Top Players in AAU Circuit - So Far 

After looking around the circuit, there are a few names popping up with regularity, which makes you wonder about the upcoming season already. Here are a few names to take notes on: 

Juan Cranford - Wayne 

While Rice is on the EYBL and other elite ciruits, Cranford has been dominating the competition all over, most recently in Indianapolis. 

After exploding in the OHSAA Tournament,  he has kept the momentum going through the summer. Expect a bevy of coaches to start flocking into Wayne HS to check out the lefty combo guard with a sniper stroke. 

Tiyah Parker - West Carrollton 

After helping lead the Pirates to their first OHSAA playoff wins in over 20 years, the fab freshman hit the gym and circuit running. She has dominated in the last few events, most recently at athe Knoxville Knockout  and at the Prep Hoops Buckeye Breakdown,.who held their annual event.

Parker has taken it up a level, and as a sophomore she will be asked to do more, but after some MVP showings this summer, she is headed towards a breakout season for a very talented and on the rise Pirates girls team, who already have the likes of sensational sophomore -turned Junior Selena Frost. With that backcourt, it will get scary this season for the Miami Valley League in 22-23.

Dayjuan Anderson - Ponitz 

Anderson has made waves, but not for what u think. The nephew of the late great Dwight Anderson has gotten back to the turf and us already getting offers, as Grand Valley State offered the dynamic hooper. 

For Football that is. 

When he was a freshman Anderson was a WR, and now that he is standing 6'5 and can get up with the best of em and has physically starting to bulk up? 

Could be a breakout season for Anderson and the Ponitz football team. 

Anderson is one of the front runners as the City League Player of the Year in basketball, so this year will get very interesting for the dynamic 2-sport stud.

(3) OHSAA Baseball Playoffs Gets Serious as C-J, Butler Still Rollin

The Chaminade Eagles, 2 -Time State champs, are still alive as they held off Bellbrook 9-8 in a wild one. A walk off homer sent the Eagle nation into a fury, as they will play this weekend as well.

Butler  will face Lebanon today as the Aviators are in the OHSAA D-1 Top 10 State Rankings. A walk-off home run over a tough Centerville team have lifted the co-champs of the MVL this season. 

If you have a nominee for a top player or Organization,  email us or send us a DM 

@DaytonHighSchoolSports  

WNBA Recap: Fever Fall In Series To Atlanta Dream

 WNBA Weekly- SELive365 Style 

Atlanta Sweeps Indiana in Home and Home Series;

Fever Fall to 2-4 

By Deon Cash 

SELive365 Recaps Home and Home Series Between Atlanta -Indiana 

Game 1 –INDY @ ATLANTA (Friday) 

Howard Shines Brightly in 1 vs 2 Rookie Matchup; Mitchell Drops 27 in Loss 

 The Indiana Fever came into the Atlanta series feeling pretty good about the movement they had made, winning 2 straight, and finding a good rhythm to their early season. 

After winning 2 straight to get back to .500, the Fever headed to the ATL to test their luck, and took a tough loss on the road to the Dream in a close one 85-79. The #1 pick of the WNBA showed out with a career high 33 points to move the Dream to 3-1.

 Rhyne Howard was a beast, and led Atlanta, who had 5 players in double figures. Her ability to get her deadly shot off at any time, with the combination of dribble moves was on full display in her “Welcome To The League" performance which wrapped up the WNBA Player of the Week award for Howard.  

NaLyssa Smith, the #2 pick of the draft, was having a good game herself (18pts, 6 reb) before she suffered a ankle injury later in the game. 

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with a game high 27 in the loss, which drops the Fever to 2-3 on the season.

 GAME 2  –ATLANTA @ INDY  

DREAM USE BALANCED EFFORT TO DEFEAT FEVER IN INDY; HOWARD STARTS FAST TO LEAD BALANCED ATTACK 

The Atlanta Dream used a balanced effort to shut down the Indiana Fever and send them to their second straight loss on the season by the score of 101-79.  

Rhyne Howard led a balanced attack with 19 points, as the Dream took full advantage of a off night by the #2 leading scorer in the WNBA, Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell and Robinson, the Fever starting backcourt, both had a tough 1st half, and the result was a double-digit advantage for the Dream at the half. 

The Fever would battle, but was outscored all four quarters by Atlanta, who now sit at 4-1 on the early season and have become the surprise team of this 2022 WNBA early season. The Dream had 6 players in double figures en route to a 101-point performance. 

Forward Victoria Vivians paced the Fever in scoring with 16, followed by top rookie C Queen Egbo (12 points, 5 rebs). 

Rookie F Emily Engstler started for the first time (in place of NaLyssa Smith – ankle) and garnered a nice 10-rebound effort in the loss. 

Destanni Henderson, who has become a fan fave already, had 9 points and 2 dimes in 17 minutes, and looks as if she might get more minutes in the rotation in the upcoming games. 

S.E.LIVE365  ANALYSIS  

(Top 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM SERIES)

(1) #1 Draft pick Rhyne Howard is The Real Deal 

Howard showed her versatility, combo moves, deadly jump shot, and lastly, but most importantly, her ability to lead. Howard has helped lead the Dream to a 4-1 record after having the worst record last year. She can play multiple positions and can shoot or distribute, which has been a problem for anyone defending her. A legit superstar in the making. 

(2) #2 Pick NaLyssa Smith was up for the Challenge Until Injury 

Smith has been a good selection, and seemingly was having a breakout game as well, before being sidelined with a ankle injury. 

(3) As Backcourt Goes, So Go the Fever

Kelsey Mitchell has been a MVP Candidate E

early this season, but the last game was a nightmare. Robinson came off a injury and was inserted back into the lineup, but it seems to have shifted the momentum of the team a little bit. Destanni Henderson, the stick of dynamite that fueled the team early, now has to come off the bench and provide that same impact, which the staff will implement in the next games. 

(4) Rookies All Bringing Good Energy;                 More Minutes for Henny, Englster, Hull? 

Emily Englster started her first game and grabbed 10 boards, while Queen Egbo held it down in the paint. Maybe the Fever could let all 5 rookies play at one point, a la the Michigan Fab Five of the 90s. Hull has started to step up and find her range.and footing in the league, and Henny must get more time. Englster will play more until Smith comes back.

(5) Dream will make WNBA Playoffs this season

The Atlanta Dream have all the components to make a run in the WNBA playoffs: Solid Vets to go with a future superstar in Rhyne Howard. Add the fact that she is the reigning WNBA player of the week, and you have a quick turnaround in the ATL. With players such as Cheyenne Parker leading as well, expect some exciting moments and more wins from Atlanta this year. They currently are 4-1. 

NBA Champion To Play at The Invitational

 NBA Champion To Make Appearance at “Invitational”

Daequan Cook, arguably Dayton’ best ever basketball player and a NBA 3-point shooting champion, will be at the Dayton High School Sports Invitational tomorrow,  per the reports.

Cook, who has started his new training program for youth athletes, has also taken up the sport of golf and will come and shoot tomorrow at Community golf course in Kettering, Ohio at the fundraiser. 

Since playing ball in the NBA and overseas Cook has been in the Dayton area working with the youth in basketball. He also has been communicating and talking to the Oklahoma City Thunder brass as he eyes a possible return to the NBA as a trainer, scout, coach, or in some realm.

Cook will headline a variey of local influencers that have decided to show up at the Invitational.

“I’m all about giving back to the kids, so I’m excited to be a part of this.” Cook stated.

There are still spots available for golfers who would like to come out and support the cause and for business who want to be apart of a special new event.

“The reasoning for the event is to create a inner city golf team along with giving away a partial donation to high school senior golfers who deserves it.” Deon Cash, CEO of Dayton HS Sports said. 

You can register by calling 937 397 0491 and texting “Register” for the Invitational. Or just come out tomorrow from 9-1pm. 

“We are very excited for all the people will come out of this first event. We understand it is a growing process and we still have work to do but this is the first of a series of golf outings that we will be launching to raise money for the youth and raise awareness in the inner city.” 

For more info, call DCash at 937 397 0491. 

Jefferson Legend, State Champion Adreian Payne Passes Away Unexpectedly; What Happened?

 Jefferson Legend, State Champion Adreian Payne Passes Away Unexpectedly; What Happened? 

Adreian Payne, arguably the best player to play in Jefferson Bronco history, passed away this last weekend in Orlando, Florida.

Payne, was one of the best big men to ever play in Dayton. He led the Jefferson Broncos to a OHSAA State Title in the mid 2000's. He would go to Michigan State, lead them to a Final Four before being drafted in the NBA by the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

passed away after being shot by his girlfriend's good friends man, who was reportedly in a state of anger.  He knew the man, so he felt like he could try to talk to him. He was good at communicating in intense situations. 

The man, named Lawrence Dority, who was friends with Payne's ex- girlfriend friend, allegedly shot Payne after an argument in which Dority had reached his boiling point.

Payne, who was playing overseas since leaving the NBA after 4 years of service, had just taken a break to get his son Amari together as he was about to undergo a very serious brain procedure which had taken the focus away from basketball for A.P.

Payne was a absolute stud in high school and college, and even made a suprise best friend in Lacey Holsworth, the 8-year old cancer patient who he became buds with him at Michigan State. 

Holsworth would help inspire that team to a Final Four. She would pass away weeks later, which crushed Payne. 

Rest in peace to a guy who was trying to help someone get better. A real legend from Dayton, Payne will be sorely missed. 

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