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DDN

1/30/06

Pogue next in line of top D-I recruits

By Marc Pendleton
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON | At 6-feet-9 and 285 pounds, it's hard for Dunbar's Aaron Pogue to disappear in anyone's shadow. And he hasn't.

There's a lot of D-I schools that are highly recruiting me, but I've got to take matters in my own hands and pass the ACT test," the junior center said. "I just need to get on the ball, man. It's just up to me now."
Dunbar's Daequan Cook (Ohio State University) and Chris Wright of Trotwood-Madison (Dayton) are done deals. But a lot more Division I talent is for the taking among their teammates. Beginning Sunday with Dunbar's 71-64 defeat of T-M before 9,000 at UD Arena, the next six weeks will make the college hoop careers of several
others at these two boys hoop hotbeds.
• Pogue is Dayton's best big-man prospect since Trotwood's Andre Hutson landed at Michigan State;
• Senior teammate Mark Anderson, a 6-8 nephew of former Roth great Dwight Anderson, is a bright blip on Wright State's radar;
• T-M's Armond Darby, a physical 6-2, 200-pound junior lefty, is mounting a can't-miss tag;
• And bullish Ibrahim Marone (6-6, 260), has made a forceful impression since defenses began smothering Wright.
Cook and Wright were Dayton's national recruiting draws the last two summers. Pogue inherits that role. Kentucky, Syracuse, Texas, Louisville, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and USC are the kinds of programs showing keen interest.
"He's still open right now, but he knows what he has in front of him," said Dunbar coach Pete Pullen.
UD also has favorably leaned on Pogue. Should he commit to the Flyers, that would be a rare double-dip into area talent in the same year.
"UD is up there because of Coach (Brian) Gregory," Pogue said. "They went down a little bit this year, but if they get a couple good recruits like me and Chris Wright I think they might do pretty good."
But Pullen foresees football as Pogue's best bet. So do Big Ten schools and Notre Dame.
"He's an excellent basketball player," Pullen said, "but I think he could go farther in football."
Pogue is a developing offensive tackle, defensive end and tight end. His double-duty decision is pending.
"I want to open up my options," Pogue said. "That's why I want to play football seriously this (fall) and whatever happens, happens."
Understandably, Anderson has been limited to incredible flashes as the third option after Cook and Pogue. That potential has not gone unnoticed.
"I just want to put myself on the map more than what I already am," he said.
For now, the Raiders and
Seton Hall have Anderson's best interest.
"I want my family to see me play," he said. "That's the main reason why I'm comfortable staying close to home."
Miami locked onto Armond when T-M played two Flyin' to the Hoop games earlier this month. D-II powers such as Ashland and Birmingham (Ala.) Southern are after Marone. So are D-III's best, including Wittenberg.
"Every coach who came into our school this fall liked Armond," said Rams coach Ike Thornton. "They're both really tough players with their whole futures ahead of them."
Contact Marc Pendleton at 225-2381.

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