PG/SG O.J. Mayo (Official Thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

RIVALS

SCOUT

North College Hill High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Ht: 6-5
Wt: 195


Ranked by Rivals.com as the #1 player in the 2007 class. Considered the #1 prospect in Ohio for 2007. O.J. has expressed his desire to go to college rather than the NBA in the past. O.J. is listing Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina and West Virginia. Ohio State is actively recruiting him.

Ovinton J'Anthony (O.J.) Mayo started for Rose Hill Christian H.S. (Ashland, KY) since the seventh-grade. He averaged 23.1 points that season and 20.5 as an eighth-grader in leading the school to its first Kentucky state tournament. Transferred to the Ohio school for his freshman season.

One of the most unselfish stars in years. He passes the ball like an advanced player, shoots it deep and there's no way to stop him off the drive in high school. Big time competitor who consistently wins, meets challenges and sets the bar for kids in his class.

SOPH Co-MVP of ABCD underclassman all-star game. Terrific summer performer. Enters his sophomore season as the best PG in America.

FR Perhaps the best freshman in the nation. Mayo led Rose Hill (KY) Christian Academy to the Sweet 16 as an 8th grader, averaging 20.5 ppg. He was named first team all-state in 2002-03 and attended the 2003 adidas ABCD Camp. Led team to 15 and under title at Kingwood in April 2004.

[wadc45]

correct me if I am wrong bn44820...despite not being listed as a contender for his services, isn't OSU actively recruiting OJ? I know it is extremely early and Rivals doesn't even have a list of schools for him yet, so should we not be worried that OSU is not mentioned right now?

[OH10]

He's a one year and done type deal. Already 17 as a sophomore. By the time he's 20, he'll be ready for the NBA, and he knows it.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

correct me if I am wrong bn44820...despite not being listed as a contender for his services, isn't OSU actively recruiting OJ? I know it is extremely early and Rivals doesn't even have a list of schools for him yet, so should we not be worried that OSU is not mentioned right now?
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

wadc45...you are not wrong....tOSU is actively recruiting him and at this early stage there is no need to worry.

He's a one year and done type deal. Already 17 as a sophomore. By the time he's 20, he'll be ready for the NBA, and he knows it.

StadiumDorm.....that is possible, but he has indicated a real desire to make his mark in college and fine tune his game.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

SCOUT

3/1/05

O.J. was named 2004-2005 Division III Associated Press Southwestern All-District Player of the Year. He is averaging 28.9 ppg.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

SCOUT$

3/3/05

O.J. is considered the top player in Ohio regardless of class, even better than Cook. Scout indicates that unless the NBA passing a collective bargaining agreement with an age limit of 20, he will most likely go to the NBA out of high school.

[wadc45]

Trojans put to the test, but Mayo closes deal

Photo: North College Hill's O.J. Mayo drives the ball past New Albany's Mitch Robertson in their Southwest District Boys Regional game.

Division III boys: NCH, Fenwick advance

By Carey Hoffman
Enquirer contributor

FAIRBORN - North College Hill faced its toughest test of the tournament Thursday night, but even a great game plan that was well-executed wasn't enough to overcome the talents of sophomores Bill Walker and O.J. Mayo.
New Albany trailed by only six points with 4:30 left in the game, but Mayo scored 12 of the final 14 points for NCH to set up a 58-43 victory in a Division III regional semifinal played at Wright State's Nutter Center.

NCH (24-1), the top-ranked team in Ohio Division III, will next shoot for a trip to the state tournament when it faces Fenwick in the regional title game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

From an NCH perspective, the game can be divided into two distinct sections. There was the first half, which was all Walker - 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Then there were the final nine minutes of the game, when Mayo went from having just two points to a total of 21, including 17 of NCH's 19 points in the final quarter.

"In the first half, we had two kids on Walker, so in the second half we went to a triangle on him, and then Mayo gets going," said New Albany coach Sam Davis.

NCH led 27-18 at half, but the final 3:30 of the half was played even as New Albany scored on each of its final five possessions of the half to really increase its confidence. The Eagles spread out their offense and had the discipline not to turn the ball over while they searched for opportunities.

New Albany looked like it might be in even better position when David Klink's jumper with five seconds left cut the deficit to 25-18, but Mayo threw a baseball pass off the inbounds to Walker, who dunked to end the half.

"You just can't (afford to) do anything wrong against them," Davis said.

NCH made some adjustments defensively that helped hold New Albany at bay as the second half progressed. Trojans coach Jamie Mahaffey called timeout late in the third quarter with the lead at 33-28, and sent his team farther out on the floor to pressure New Albany's small lineup.

That produced three straight turnovers which NCH used to create a 6-0 run to close the quarter.

"It was kind of a strange game, but it was a good game for us," said Mahaffey. "It was a game of patience. You could get what you wanted, if you were willing to work for it."

Walker led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Mayo scored 21.

New Albany (18-7) - Campbell 0 1 1, Weldon 4 4 12, Robertson 1 0 2, Klink 7 2 20, Peters 1 0 2, Armstrong 2 0 5, Martin 0 1 1. Totals: 15-42 8-11 43.

North College Hill (24-1) - Mayo 5 10 21, Ellis 5 1 11, Walker 11 2 24, Goins 1 0 2, Butler 0 0 0. Totals: 22-42 13-14 58.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

LINK

3/16/05

O.J. was named Player of The Year in Ohio for Division III and First Team All-Ohio.

DIVISION III


FIRST TEAM: O.J. Mayo, Cin. N. College Hill, 6-foot-6, sophomore, 28.9 points per game; Nate Davis, Bellaire, 6-3, jr., 27.0; David Lighty, Cle. VASJ, 6-5, jr., 24.5; Jordan Petraitis, Akr. Manchester, 6-3, sr., 23.6; Joe Guiler, Johnstown-Monroe, 6-9, jr., 11.2; Brett Beucler, Sardinia Eastern Brown, 6-1, sr., 23.0; Dan Borcherdt, Archbold, 6-0, sr., 22.6; Erik Marschall, New London, 6-7, sr., 18.3; Richard Semrau, Rocky River Luth. W., 6-9, jr., 22.3.


Player of the year: O.J. Mayo, Cin. N. College Hill.


Coaches of the year: Roger Zornes, Ironton; Ray Miller, West Jefferson; Mike Fuline, Rootstown.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

SCOUT

3/16/05

O.J. Mayo was named 2005 Ohio Mr. Basketball.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>O.J. Mayo Wins Mr. Basketball <HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD>(AP)
</TD><TD noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!---------------Start Image--><SCRIPT ********************>document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/O.J.-MAYO2002.JPG', '', 0, 267, 200, 1, 'O.J. Mayo becomes Ohio second player ever to win the award as a sophomore', 'Rivals.com', 1111021156000, '', 979, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=202></TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=4></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Rivals.com</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>O.J. Mayo becomes Ohio second player ever to win the award as a sophomore</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image------------------>2005 — O.J. Mayo, Cincinnati North College Hill, 6-foot-5, sophomore. Averaged 28.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.4 steals for team ranked No. 1 in state both of his varsity seasons. Becomes only second sophomore to win the award, behind LeBron James. Led North College Hill to first state tournament appearance in 16 years.

2004 — Jamar Butler, Lima Shawnee, 6-2, sr. Averaged 31.6 points, 8.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals per game while shooting 44 percent from the field, 37 percent on 3-pointers. Scored more than 2,400 points in his career, 10th best alltime in Ohio. Ohio State.

2003 — LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-8, sr. Averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals a game. First three-time Mr. Basketball winner. Led team to fourth straight state tournament appearance. Won Division II title. Drafted with the first pick of the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2002 — LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-foot-7, jr. Averaged 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals a game while shooting 63 percent from the field. Third two-time Mr. Basketball winner. Led team to third straight state tournament appearance. Won Division III title as freshman and sophomore.

2001 — LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-6 1/2, soph., 25.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game. First sophomore to win Mr. Basketball award.

2000 — (tie) Tony Stockman, Medina, 6-2, sr., 25.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 steals per game; 50.5 percent field goals, 84.3 percent free throws, 39.7 percent 3-pointers; and Chester Mason, Cleveland South, 6-3, sr., 25 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists per game.

1999 — Emmanuel Smith, Euclid, 6-3, sr., 28.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4.5 steals a game.

1998 — William "Sonny" Johnson, Garfield Hts., 6-5, sr., 34.0 points, 17.6 rebounds per game.

1997 — Kenny Gregory, Columbus Independence, 6-4, sr., 25.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 steals per game; 64.7 percent from the field, 43.2 percent 3-pointers.

1996 — Jason Collier, Springfield Cath. Cent., 7-0, sr., 25.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, 6.6 blocked shots, 4.8 assists per game; 62.1 percent field goals, 37 percent 3-pointers.

1995 — Damon Stringer, Cleveland Hts., 5-11, sr., 24.5 points, 7 assists, 5 steals per game.

1994 — Aaron Hutchins, Lima Central Catholic, 5-10, sr., 25.8 points, 7.8 assists, 5.1 steals per game; 61 percent field goal, 57 percent 3-pointers, 82 percent free throws.

1993 — Geno Ford, Cambridge, 5-9, sr., 35.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game; 2,680 career points, second highest in Ohio.

1992 — Greg Simpson, Lima Senior, 6-1, sr., 35.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 3.1 steals per game; 52.9 percent field goal, 51 percent 3-pointers, 77.4 percent free throws; 45 or more points six times; final 10 games averaged 41 points on 59 percent shooting.

1991 — Greg Simpson, Lima Senior, 6-1, jr., 32.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 5.1 steals per game; 50.2 percent field goals, 47.2 percent 3-pointers, 72 percent free throws; 13 games with more than 30 points.

1990 — Bob Patton, Youngstown Liberty, 6-0, sr., 21.6 points, 8.3 assists, 4 rebounds per game; 62 percent field goal, 88 percent free throw percentage.

1989 — Jim Jackson, Toledo Macomber, 6-6, sr., 31.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3 steals per game.

1988 — Jim Jackson, Toledo Macomber, 6-6, jr., 26.7 points per game.

LINK


3/16/05

Mayo selected as 2005 Mr. Basketball
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<!-- -->COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The legend of O.J. Mayo was spreading around Ohio long before he was announced as the 2005 Associated Press Mr. Basketball on Wednesday.

Mayo is the Cincinnati North College Hill sophomore who played two years of varsity basketball in Kentucky _ as a seventh- and eighth-grader.


Mayo, a 6-foot-5 swingman, is the 18th winner of the AP's Mr. Basketball award, emblematic of the best player in Ohio as determined by a media panel from around the state.


He becomes only the second sophomore to be selected as Mr. Basketball _ the other was some guy named LeBron. You may have heard of him.


Mayo averaged 28.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.4 steals for North College Hill (25-1) this season.


"It's not really me; we have a great supporting cast," Mayo told The Cincinnati Enquirer after being named the area's player of the year. "I take the most pride in really just being a team player and all-around player."


A year ago, as a freshman, he averaged 30.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 5.2 steals a game for North College Hill while shooting 60 percent from the field, 38 percent on 3-pointers and 80 percent at the line.


His North College Hill teams have won the last two AP poll titles, have racked up a record of 46-2 and are headed to this week's Division III state semifinals at Value City Arena.


"He's an outstanding player," said his coach, Jamie Mahaffey, a former star at Miami University in the 1990s. "He's an all-around player, a team player. He makes things happen. And he's a real leader on the floor. He does everything on the court that a coach does on the sidelines."


Mayo came to North College Hill after his mother decided he would be better off living with his grandfather, Dwaine Barnes, in Cincinnati.


All the points and all the wins have led some to say that it's all too much, too soon for Mayo. His coach disagrees.


"He doesn't look at that," Mahaffey said of all the NBA talk that is already filtering back to Mayo. "I think that might be the case with another similar player, but O.J. is a mature kid and can handle the talk and all the challenges. He just wants to get better and better. He wants to improve in every aspect."


Although Mayo is the focal point, there is enough talent around him to take a lot of the pressure off of such a young star.


"It's fun," Mayo said. "It's a different type of team. You read in the papers we're a traveling AAU team or a circus. It's just a good time."


Mahaffey said Mayo takes an active role on the team and isn't afraid to speak up to upperclassmen.


"He lets you know what the issue or problem is," said Mahaffey, in his third year as North College Hill's coach. "He doesn't hold back because he doesn't hold back when he's on the court."


A lot of people will be judging Mayo when he leads the Trojans against Loudonville (22-3) in Friday's opening semifinal. And the talk will continue, that's for certain.


Among the others considered for Mr. Basketball were: Columbus Brookhaven's Jamelle Cornley (6-6, sr., 21.1 points per game); Bellaire's Nate Davis (6-3, jr., 27.0), David Lighty of Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (6-5, jr., 24.5); North Canton Hoover's Bret Wackerly (5-10, sr., 18.3); B.J. Raymond of Toledo St. John's (6-6, sr., 20.8); and Lima Senior's Travis Walton (6-2, sr., 19.4).


Past winners of the Mr. Basketball award include: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (3 times), and the Phoenix Suns Jimmy Jackson (twice).


Mayo will receive a plaque in the shape of Ohio.

Congratulations to O.J. Mayo......

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

SCOUT$

3/18/05

<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
O.J. Mayo

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top> Mayo Leads Team To Finals, Talks About Win
By Steve Helwagen Bucknuts.com Managing Editor
Date: Mar 18, 2005

Super sophomore O.J. Mayo had 21 points today as his North College Hill team blew out Loudonville, 75-42. After the game, Mayo spoke with the media.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

</CENTER>
O.J. had 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the 75-42 win.

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I got to watch NCH tonight, and MAN, Mayo and Walker are for real.

Mayo has unbelievable passing, very comparable to LBJ.

[jimotis4heisman]

i would say not at all. oj has an incredible pull up game, lebron is not much of a contested shot shooter. oj reminds me of gasp jordan in his early years. very complete player who pass well. excellent jump shot, mid range and pull up. adequate 3 baller it seems, didnt take many but has a very pure stroke. 10-15 from the field 1-3 from three in the state semis. unselfish player who maybe a little to unselfish. plays very good on ball defense and has good hands. can elevate, has a knack to finnish around the net, though not always with the dunk (which i am glad to see, becuase layups actually let you protect eh ball, you dont have to cock the ball behind your head, many great coaches (knight wooden smith) didnt allow players to dunk while attacking from the wings).

funny story that sums it up by a 5 year oldish kid (wearing a lebron jersey) "hes better than lebron, he doesnt do stupid plays"

overall honest opinion is the best and most complete high schooler i have seen in a very long time (i saw lebron play 3 times his sr year)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

LINK

3/20/05

O.J. Mayo finished with 22 points, six assists and three rebounds in winning the Division III State Championship.

CIN. N. COLLEGE HILL 71, IRONTON 65
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<!-- -->COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One down, two to go.

Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo had an assist on a critical basket and then scored the final four points for No. 1-ranked Cincinnati North College Hill in a 71-65 win over No. 2 Ironton in the Division III state championship game on Saturday.


Second-team All-Ohioan Bill Walker had 19 points and 14 rebounds, with 6-11 center Keenan Ellis adding 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.


"We had a goal way back in November _ to play for the state championship," Walker said. "We did it. Now the goal is to get two more."


Mayo took a back seat to his teammates most of the game, but with the game teetering in the balance in the final minute the 6-foot-6 sophomore asserted himself in a big way.


What had been a 12-point lead early in the quarter melted away for the Trojans (27-1) until they held a 64-63 advantage with time sifting away.


The Fighting Tigers had a shot at taking the lead with 43.9 seconds to go but Marcus Williams missed two free throws.


North College Hill inbounded to Mayo and he brought the ball down the court and drove the right baseline. He ran out of room at the end line and as he was falling out of bounds, whipped a pass to teammate Damon Butler on the other side of the basket. Butler just got off a shot as he was fouled, the shot going in and his free throw pushing the lead to 67-63 with 30.5 seconds left.


On the ensuing possession, the Fighting Tigers (26-1) missed a shot, rebounded it, and then turned the ball over _ Mayo stealing a pass in the corner. He raced down the court and glanced at a teammate on a 2-on-1 before dunking with 12 seconds remaining.


"We had a trap on the baseline and my job was to rotate to the closest player," Mayo said. "I didn't rotate right away because I wanted him to think he was wide open."


He later closed the scoring with two clinching free throws.


Mayo finished with 22 points, six assists and three rebounds, despite carrying four fouls for most of the second half.


"It was like playing an all-star team out there," Ironton coach Roger Zornes said. "They're very good."


Ironton, which was making its second trip to the final four, received 28 points from center Cliffton Howard, who also had 16 rebounds. Dennis Gagai, a special mention All-Ohio selection, tossed in 22 points.


The Trojans, shuffling players in and out because of foul trouble, took the lead on Butler's 3-pointer and then expanded it to 36-30 with Walker scoring the last eight points for his team.


The Fighting Tigers foundered because of bad free-throw shooting. They hit just three of their first nine and ended the half 7-of-15 at the line _ then hit just 1-of-3 in the second half.


North College Hill was holding a 44-43 lead midway through the third period when Ellis scored on a baseline drive, Walker stole a pass and found Mayo for an easy layup _ Mayo waiting for the defender and then drawing the foul as he flipped in the layup. Ellis then tipped in a Mayo miss before Walker brought the crowd to life.


He stepped in front of a pass at midcourt and soared in for a dunk, windmilling it in while 14,749 at Value City Arena roared. That gave the Trojans a 53-43 lead.


Ironton trailed 64-52 early in the final period after Mayo's 15-foot bank shot, but scratched its way back with an 8-0 run _ Gagai drilling two 3-pointers and also hitting a baseline drive.


"We were getting the right people to shoot the ball and they were showing doubt," Zornes said.


That set up the wild finish, leading to North College Hill's first state title in its second trip to the final four.


"It's a great feeling we'll keep for a couple of months," Trojans coach Jamie Mahaffey said. "Now everybody's going to come after us and we've got to be prepared for everybody to come after us.


<!-- -->Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

LINK

3/20/05

Mayo steals show as most outstanding in Division III
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<!-- -->COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo of state champion Cincinnati North College Hill is the most outstanding player on the 2005 Associated Press Division III all-tournament team.

Mayo, playing within himself instead of trying to put on a show, had 22 points, six assists and three rebounds in the top-ranked Trojans (27-1) 71-65 victory over No. 2 Ironton on Saturday _ despite playing with heavy foul trouble for most of the game.


For the semi and final, he totaled 43 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. He hit 18-of-32 shots from the field, 4-of-12 3-pointers and all three of his free throws.


Joining him on the team are teammate Bill Walker (34 points, 25 rebounds in the two games); Ironton's Dennis Gagai (45 points, eight rebounds and seven assists) and Cliffton Howard (38 points, 26 rebounds); and Loudonville's Kyle Gillette (27 points, 19 rebounds in a semifinals loss).


<!-- -->Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[cincibuck]

Originally Posted by StadiumDorm

He's a one year and done type deal. Already 17 as a sophomore. By the time he's 20, he'll be ready for the NBA, and he knows it.

Hmmmmm, 17 and a soph? that makes him 19 as a senior and I believe out of elgibility under OHSAA rules. Anyone know?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Just a sophomore, 6'5" Mayo was averaging 27.4 points a game coming into the state tournament.

Here are some more pics of O.J. Mayo....







LINK

3/21/05

<!-- PRINTER FRIENDLY LINK --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" bgColor=#eeeeee border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tools_text></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Monday, March 21, 2005 <!-- ARTICLE HEADLINE -->
NCH's Mayo wants D-III state 3-peat
Future augurs well for Trojans

By Tom Groeschen
Enquirer staff writer

<!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=185 align=right border=0><!-- MAIN PHOTO --><TBODY><TR><TD class=small_text align=middle>
North College Hill sophomore Keenan Ellis (50) has a lot to shout about after the Trojans beat Ironton for the Division III state title Saturday at Ohio State's Value City Arena.
The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
Zoom </TD></TR><!-- OTHER FEED PHOTOS --><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!-- RELATED MULTIMEDIA ASSETS --><!-- MAIN FACT BOX --><TR><TD class=sidebar_head>LOOKING STRONG</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sidebar_body>North College Hill's chance to repeat in Division III looks bright, as the Trojans only lose one starter to graduation.

DEPARTING SENIORS

*6-3 G, Darion Goins, 8 ppg

6-6 F, George Victorian, 6 ppg

TOP RETURNEES

(SENIORS IN '05-06)

6-4 F, Andre Evans, 7.2 ppg

6-5 F, Paul Leary, 4.4 ppg

(JUNIORS IN '05-06)

*6-5 G, O.J. Mayo, 27.4 ppg

*6-6 F, Bill Walker, 20.8 ppg

*6-11 C, Keenan Ellis, 14 ppg

6-0 G, Nathaniel Glover, 3.6 ppg

(SOPHOMORES IN '05-06)

*6-0 G, Damon Butler, 6 ppg

*Starter this season

</TD></TR><!-- ADDITIONAL PHOTOS --><!-- RELATED ARTICLES --><!-- RELATED EXTERNAL LINKS --></TBODY></TABLE><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->
O.J. Mayo wants to win three consecutive state titles at North College Hill, essentially spiking rumors that he might transfer to another school.

Mayo and fellow sophomores Bill Walker and Keenan Ellis, all rated among the nation's top boys' basketball players in their class, led NCH to a 71-65 win over Ironton in the Ohio Division III state championship game Saturday in Columbus. Mayo had 22 points, Walker 19 and Ellis 14 in the title game.

"We've got a goal to win three state titles in a row and make history," Mayo said. "We want to leave as a dynasty."

Only two other Ohio boys' schools, Dayton Stivers (1928-30) and Columbus Wehrle (1988-90) have won three straight state basketball titles. Stivers won in Class A, then the big-school division. Wehrle won in Division IV, which remains Ohio's smallest classification.

LeBron James' Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary teams won three state titles in James' four seasons (2000-03), losing the Division II state title game to Roger Bacon in James' junior year.

"We want to be remembered as one of the top programs in any class," Mayo said. "We want to be up there with the Moellers and St. Xaviers and Akron St. Vincent-St. Marys."

Mayo and Walker transferred to NCH two years ago from Rose Hill Christian (Ashland, Ky.). Ellis arrived this season from Indianapolis. Rumors persist that Mayo and Co. next will transfer to national prep power Oak Hill Academy, but the players themselves refute such speculation.

"We set a goal to win state, and we did it," Walker said. "That's one. Two more to go."

NCH will lose two seniors, guard Darion Goins and forward George Victorian. Goins was a starter who averaged 8.0 points a game, while Victorian averaged 6.0 points off the bench.

Mayo, rated the nation's No. 1 sophomore by several scouting services, averaged 27.4 points a game this year and was named Ohio Mr. Basketball. Walker, who averaged 20.8 points, is rated anywhere from the No. 2 to No. 4 sophomore nationally. Ellis, who averaged 14.0 points, ranges between No. 12 and No. 55 in national sophomore ratings.

Point guard Damon Butler, who averaged 6.0 points a game as a freshman starter this year, also will return.

"We've got a great feeling right now, and that will last for a couple of months," NCH coach Jamie Mahaffey said. "But then we'll have to get right back at it."

NCH (27-1) pulverized its small-school Miami Valley Conference rivals by 56.1 points a game. NCH and the MVC have agreed the Trojans will be an "associate member" the next two years, playing each team once instead of twice. NCH will not be eligible for the league title.

The Trojans, rated No. 21 nationally by USA Today, lost only to eventual Division I state runner-up St. Xavier this season. Next season, the Trojans look to again play St. X and possibly other big-school Greater Catholic League and Greater Miami Conference teams.

NCH took a lot of heat for having so many transfers on this year's team, but the Ohio High School Athletic Association said the Trojans have played by the rules.

"We know we'll take everybody's best shot again next year," Mahaffey said. "We went through a lot this year, but our team showed a lot of composure and fought through it."

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com.