Link
Withrow's Gates best of area's best
BY MIKE DYER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Withrow junior Yancy Gates is considered the top overall recruit in the area this season.
Gates, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, who transferred from Hughes this summer, averaged 17.7 points and 10.7 rebounds last season.
He is considered one of the top recruits nationally in the 2008 class.
OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1');
Several schools have shown interest, including Cincinnati, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Xavier.
Gates is listed as the 16th overall recruit by Rivals.com and 12th overall by Scout.com.
Prep Spotlight recruiting analyst John Stovall said Gates could "sleepwalk" through 20 points and 10 rebounds a night, but he would like Gates to add another 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
"The biggest thing is always consistency," Stovall said. "The talent is there. ... Most of his improvement will come from playing hard."
The Greater Catholic League South division contains some of the top players in the state.
Elder junior center Kyle Rudolph averaged 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He was second-team all-district and GCL South player of the year.
Stovall likes his strength and said Rudolph can step out and shoot effectively from 17 feet.
"He is very productive," Stovall said.
La Salle sophomore Danny McElroy, who has orally committed to Cincinnati, should have a greater impact for the Lancers.
McElroy, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward, averaged 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.
"He is probably the best sophomore in the state," Stovall said. "He's just gotten better. He is more confident and stronger; he could take on a larger role for (La Salle) than he did a year ago."
La Salle senior Bobby Austin also is considered a Division I recruit. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.6 assists. He was honorable mention all- district and first-team all-GCL South.
Moeller senior Troy Tabler, a three-year starter, averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists. Tabler, a Wright State recruit, was honorable mention all-district and first-team all-GCL South.
Hamilton senior Billy Allen, an Albany recruit, averaged 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks. Allen was second-team all-district and first-team all-GMC last season.
Anderson senior Julian Wilkison averaged 20.2 points, 3.8 assists and three rebounds. He was honorable mention all-district and first-team all-FAVC Buckeye. He has signed to play at Rollins College (Fla.).
"Julian is pretty good," Loveland coach Tim Partin said. "He can definitely score, and he can beat you off the dribble. He is a tough matchup."
Wyoming senior Connor Wetzel (6-6, 210 pounds) averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 blocks.
Wetzel was Division II honorable mention all-state and CHL player of the year. He has added muscle and is considering several Division II schools, according to Wyoming coach Tony Gentry.
Purcell Marian senior Fred Willis (6-6, 230 pounds) averaged 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. He was D-III second-team all-district and first-team all-GCL North.
Willis has improved his shot, according to coach Randy Reeder.
Woodward junior guard Troy Long (6 feet, 160 pounds) averaged 15.4 points and two assists. Long has improved off the dribble, Woodward coach Lannis Timmons said.
"He is a (darn) good athlete," Timmons said.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brandon Baker, Milford: The 6-6 junior forward averaged 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.
Damon Butler, NCH: The junior averaged 12.1 points, four steals and seven assists.
Bobby Capobianco, Loveland: The sophomore center averaged 11.3 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Isaiah Felder, Georgetown: The senior averaged 18 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He was D-IV special mention all-state and Southern Buckeye Conference National player of the year.
Walt Gibler, St. Xavier: The junior, a mid-major prospect, was first-team all-GCL South.
Chris Grimes, Woodward: The 6-5 junior averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Sean Hennessy, La Salle: The senior guard has committed to Christian Brothers University, a Division II school in Memphis.
Anthony McBride, Withrow: Averaged 17 points as a sophomore last season.
Tyler Osterman, Monroe: The junior averaged 23.5 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He was Division III special mention all-state and first-team all-district.
Reggie Revels, Taft: The senior guard averaged eight points and eight rebounds.
Thomas Smith, Lockland: The senior guard averaged 16 points, three assists and three steals.
Monsanna Torbert, Taft: The senior averaged 11 points and five steals.
Antoine Wilhite, Lockland: The senior guard averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
