MasonBuzz.com

Mike Dyer reports:

Mason senior Alex Notton has committed to run track and cross country at Illinois, according to Mason cross country coach Tom Rapp.

Notton was a member of Mason’s Division I state runner-up cross country team this past fall.

An Enquirer Division I all-area selection, Notton was the Greater Miami Conference runner of the year and district champion.

An all-state track performer last season, he was eighth at state in the 1,600 meters and on the eighth-place 4×800 relay team.

“He is a brilliant student and will study mechanical engineering at one of the best engineering schools around,” Rapp said.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: alex notton, comets, cross country, illinois, mason, mason high school, recruiting, track

Mike Dyer reports

Mason junior Kayla McDowell could make her college decision possibly by the end of next week, according to Mason girls’ basketball coach Rob Matula.

Matula said McDowell will finish AAU this week. Last week in Las Vegas, Michigan, Wake Forest, Northwestern and Missouri watched her closely, Matula said.

McDowell, an Enquirer Division I all-area selection this past season, averaged 13.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 steals for the Comets. She was first-team all-GMC.

McDowell has had offers from Nebraska, Xavier, Dayton, Richmond, Toledo, Indiana, Iowa State, Massachusetts and Liberty, Matula said.

Mason was a Division I regional finalist this past season – its first regional final since the state championship team in 2000. Mason had an 18-7 record this past season.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, comets, dayton, Indiana, Iowa State, kayla mcdowell, Liberty, mason, mason high school, Massachusetts, nebraska, recruiting, Richmond, rob matula, toledo, xavier

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is looking for volunteers to assist with school recruiting this fall.

Campaign volunteers are needed to host recruitment and sign-up events at local area schools between August and October.  Troop leaders are also needed year-round.

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio serves more than 1,500 elementary schools in 32 counties throughout Western Ohio and Southeastern Indiana.

Volunteers must complete an application, provide references and undergo a background check.

For more information or for an application, call the Girl Scouts at 513-489-1025 or go to  www.girlscoutsofwesternohio.org.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: girl scouts, girl scouts of western ohio, recruiting, troop leaders, volunteers

Mason senior pitcher Sarah Browning has committed to attend Muskingum and will play softball for the college program, according to the Mason athletic department.

Browning intends to major in Education.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: mason, mason high school, muskingham, pitcher, recruiting, sarah browning, softball

Mike Dyer reports:

Nebraska has offered Mason junior Kayla McDowell, according to Mason girls’ basketball coach Rob Matula.

McDowell, an Enquirer Division I all-area selection this past season, averaged 13.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 steals for the Comets. She was first-team all-GMC.

Mason was a Division I regional finalist – its first regional final since the state championship team in 2000. Mason finished with an 18-7 record.

McDowell has had offers from Xavier, Dayton, Richmond, Toledo, Indiana, Iowa State, Massachusetts and Liberty, Matula said.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, comets, kayla mcdowell, mason, mason high school, nebraska, recruiting, rob matula

Catch up on the latest recruiting news from Mason and Kings high schools.

Mason coach Mark Sullivan recently announced three college signings including diver Megan Helwagen (Clemson) and swimmers Brad Lebling (Eastern Michigan) and Justin Kolwyck (Delaware).

Jensen Gebhardt. File photo

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Kings junior QB Jensen Gebhardt is going to play football at Thomas More, according to Kings coach Andy Olds.

Gebhardt had previously committed to Lindsey Wilson on Jan. 24.

Gebhardt, who is 6-4 and 200 pounds, also had interest from Tiffin and Notre Dame College.

Gebhardt threw for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. The Knights were a Division II regional finalist.

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Kings junior defensive backs Nick Collado and Justin Crull attended Northwestern’s spring practice last weekend, according to Kings coach Andy Olds.

“They are both ‘actively’ being recruited by (Northwestern),” Olds said.

Posted in: Sports |

Tags: Tags: andy old, brad lebling, comets, diving, football, jensen gebhardt, justin crull, justin kolwyck, kings high school, mark sullivan, mason high school, megan helwagen, nick collado, northwestern, recruiting, sports, swimming, thomas more

Sami Parave

Basketball standouts Darin Harris and Michael Van Kleunen made the roster for the District 15 Coaches Association boys’ basketball all-star games last week.

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Mason junior centerfielder Sami Parave recently made a verbal commitment to Bowling Green, according to Mason softball coach Liann Muff.

Parave, who committed to Bowling Green Jan. 31, also had interest from Eastern Michigan and Akron, Muff said.

“BG has always been her number one choice,” Muff said.

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Kayla McDowell

Mason junior forward Kayla McDowell has offers from Xavier, Dayton and Richmond and has heard from Missouri, Toledo, Duquesne and Wake Forest, according to Mason girls basketball coach Rob Matula.

McDowell averaged 13.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.2 assists for the Comets this season. She was first-team all-GMC.

McDowell made the Underclassmen District 15 team.

Posted in: Sports |

Tags: Tags: all-star games, basketball, comets, darin harris, district 15 coaches association, kayla mcdowell, lady comets, mason, mason high school, michael van kleunen, recruiting, sami parave, softball, sports

Mason senior forward Darin Harris seen here battling Kings on Dec. 13, 2011.

Mason senior forward Darin Harris was offered by Lake Erie College, a Division II school in Painseville, Ohio.

This marks the first offer for Harris, a two-time first-team, all-GMC honoree.  He is being recruited by Division II schools and some small Division I schools.

Grand Valley State will be at Mason’s practice today to watch Harris, who is second in the GMC in scoring at 16.5 points per game and third in the GMC in field goal percentage at 56.4 percent.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, college, comets, darin harris, division i, gmc, greater miami conference, lake erie college, mason high school, offer, recruiting, sports

Mason offensive lineman Joe Spencer (Illinois commit) had a phone conversation with new Illinois coach Tim Beckman Sunday and it went very well, according to Mason coach Brian Castner.

Beckman, a former Toledo coach, was named the Illinois coach on Friday.  He replaces Ron Zook, who was ousted last month following his team’s historic late-season collapse.

The departure of Zook had Spencer reassessing his commitment to the Fighting Illini.  At the time, Mason coach Brian Castner said that Spencer would consider other schools until Illinois hires new coaching staff.

“Right now it’s still waiting until the new coach is hired and then building a relationship and getting to know what they see with the program and which direction they’re going to take it,” Spencer told ESPN last month.

Spencer, ranked the 14th-best center and considered a three-star prospect, verbally committed to Illinois in mid-July.  At the time of his commitment, he has also had offers from UC, Illinois, South Florida, Air Force, Ohio University, Akron, Toledo, Kent State, Bowling Green, Miami University, Buffalo and Florida International.

Spencer was named an Associated Press Division I second-team all-district selection this season. He was first-team all-Greater Miami Conference.

Spencer’s lead recruiter, Illinois assistant coach Jeff Brohm, met with the 6-foot-4 and 275 pound tackle at school on Nov. 29.  While Spencer said it did little to reaffirm his commitment, he remains verbally committed to Illinois.  Brohm reassured Spencer that the athletic department will honor all commitments while Zook was coach, according to ESPN.

Posted in: Sports |

Tags: Tags: comets, firing, football, jeff brohm, joseph spencer, mason high school, recruiting, ron zook, sports, tackle, tim beckman, university of illinois

Mason offensive lineman Joseph Spencer is keeping his options open in the wake of the firing of Illinois head coach Ron Zook.

The departure of Zook on Sunday had Spencer reassessing his commitment to the Fighting Illini.  Mason coach Brian Castner said late yesterday that Spencer will consider other schools until Illinois hires new coaching staff.

Spencer, ranked the 14th-best center and considered a three-star prospect, verbally committed to Illinois in mid-July.  At the time of his commitment, he has also had offers from UC, Illinois, South Florida, Air Force, Ohio University, Akron, Toledo, Kent State, Bowling Green, Miami University, Buffalo and Florida International.

Spencer was named an Associated Press Division I second-team all-district selection this season. He was first-team all-Greater Miami Conference.

Spencer’s lead recruiter, Illinois assistant coach Jeff Brohm, met with the 6-foot-4 and 275 pound tackle at school on Tuesday.  While Spencer said it did little to reaffirm his commitment, he remains verbally committed to Illinois.  Brohm reassured Spencer that the athletic department will honor all commitments while Zook was coach, according to ESPN.

“Right now it’s still waiting until the new coach is hired and then building a relationship and getting to know what they see with the program and which direction they’re going to take it,” Spencer told ESPN.

Zook, the highest paid state employee in Illinois, was ousted Sunday following his team’s historic late-season collapse. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning was named interim head coach.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: comets, firing, football, jeff brohm, joseph spencer, mason high school, recruiting, ron zook, sports, tackle, university of illinois