Buford, Miles in top 100 for high school basketball

6/16/2007

A pair of Toledo basketball players are named in the the recent Sporting News Super 99, the best of the 2008 high school class.

All-Blade player of the year William Buford of Libbey High School is ranked 15th. Buford a guard/forward listed at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, has committed to Ohio State.

Buford averaged 28.4 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while leading the Cowboys to a 19-1 regular-season finish, a City League championship and a No. 3 final state ranking. Former Libbey player Nate Miles, a 6-6, 200-pound forward who left the city to play basketball is ranked 24th. Miles attended Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Waite, Cornerstone Christian Academy in San Antonio and now is attending Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. He has committed to the University of Connecticut after once committing to Xavier.

Oak Harbor's Cody Magrum, a two-time state wrestling champion, verbally committed to Ohio State yesterday during an unofficial visit to the university, his mother Sheri said.

Magrum, who will be a senior in the fall, cannot make his intentions official until Nov. 8, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.

Magrum will join a program on the rise under second-year coach Tom Ryan.

The Buckeyes finished 10th at the NCAA tournament in March, producing four All-Americans, including Oak Harbor product J.D. Bergman.

Magrum, who will begin his career at 174 and then move to 184 pounds in college, is OSU's first commitment in the 2008 recruiting class.

Magrum defeated St. Paris Graham's David Thompson 3-1 at 171 pounds to win his second state title in March. Magrum's career record is 109-15.

Woodmore discus thrower Emily Pendleton has been selected by Gatorade Thirst Quencher as the Ohio girls track and field athlete of the year.

Pendleton, who will attend Michigan on a track scholarship, owns the state discus record with a throw of 183 feet, 3 inches. She won four straight Ohio Division III titles in the event.