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SPORTS
Oak Hill scores 87 pts in win over Columbus Walnut Ridge
IRONTON -- National power Oak Hill Academy sees all parts of the country during a basketball season.
The 2009-10 schedule for the Warriors features a trip to Ohio and that's special for 6-foot guard Juwan Staten who is from Dayton.
Staten had 12 personal supporters, including mom and dad, in the stands Monday night when Oak Hill blitzed Columbus Walnut Ridge, 87-56, in the Ironton Classic at the Conley Center.
"This is a chance for the family to get to see me play and they're happy about that," Staten said.
During the season, the Warriors will travel to North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon (four games next week in Portland), Massachusetts, West Virginia, New Jersey and Washington D.C. (three games at the end of the seaon).
Staten, one of the top guns on Oak Hill's 10-man roster, scored 15 points and dished out seven assists. He received the MVP award for his team after the game.
"That means a lot, too," Staten said.
Oak Hill (14-0) entered the two-day event ranked No. 2 in the country by RivalsHigh 100, but could move to the top after No. 1 Findlay Prep lost to Columbus Northland on Thursday.
Oak Hill has many players being recruited heavily by top college programs. The pressure's off Staten, though, as he's signed with the University of Dayton. Baye Keita, a 6-11 center from the Senegal, is headed to Syracuse.
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins was in attendance Monday night. Kentucky coaches, led by head coach John Calipari, are expected in for day two. Oak Hill meets Cincinnati Princeton in the nightcap at 9 p.m.
Oak Hill raced to a 23-12 lead after the first period and dominated the Scots the rest of the way.
"We've got the tools," Staten said. "We impose our will on teams and make them play our game."
Warriors coach Steve Smith didn't have a full scouting report on Walnut Ridge.
"We try to come out and etablish ourselves and no matter who we play," he said. "We play physical and try to be aggressive. We did that the first half. The second half we weren't as sharp."
Smith said he knew Staten would have added incentive for these two games.
"This is a special moment for him," Smith said. "He's been looking forward to this all season."
Rosco Smith led the Warriors with 18 points. Doron Lamb added 15, Pe'Shon Howard 13 and 7-1 Martins Abele 10.
Austin Taylor paced Walnut Ridge with 20 points and was selected MVP for his team.
Wherever the Warriors go, they're treated like celebrities. Players have signed many autographs during their stay.
"That adds more to it," Staten said. "I did the same thing when I was little. You like to give something back."
OAK HILL ACADEMY 23 24 23 17 -- 87: Hornsby 4, Howard 13, Porcher 7, Lamb 15, Anderson 1, Keita 2, Abele 10, Baron 2, Smith 18, Staten 15.
COLUMBUS WALNUT RIDGE 12 14 10 20 -- 56: Woods 2, Hardgrove 2, Diop 2, Qualls 6, Sumbry 6, Spears 2, J. Reid 6, Brooks 8, Kah 2, Traylor 20.