UA’s Goodwin caps stellar career with all-star win

POWELL — Dane Goodwin sat out the entire spring all-star circuit because he wanted to savor the experience of the 60th annual Ohio NorthSouth all-star games Friday at Olentangy Liberty.

“This game has always been special to me,” said the Upper Arlington senior guard, who has signed to play at Notre Dame. “The game was (previously) held at Capital where my father coaches, and I went to every game. I figured this would be a fitting way to go out.”

Goodwin, who won Ohio’s Mr. Basketball award among many other honors, went out in style by helping the balanced South team beat the North 125-115 in the Division I-II contest.

The dynamic duo of Jaxson Hayes and Jeremiah Davenport, who led Cincinnati Moeller to the Division I state title, led the way for the South. The 6-foot-10, Texas-bound Hayes threw down a bevy of dunks on the way to a 19-point night. Davenport, who will play at Wright State, added 17 points and five assists to earn the game’s MVP award.

“Jaxson and I have had that chemistry together since our freshman year,” Davenport said. “It’s really special to go out like that, being on the same team with Jaxson and taking home the game ball for MVP. Anyone could have won it. With all the great players out here on the floor, it’s a huge honor.”

Jelani Simmons of Beechcroft and Goodwin added 13 points each, and JT Shumate of Newark had 10 to aid the South, which broke open a close game midway through the second half with a 25-8 run.

“I think we were a little more athletic, and our height advantage came into play in the second half defensively,” said Simmons, who will play at Youngstown State. “We were running the floor and getting rebounds. We just got into a really good flow. A lot of guys were getting it done.”

Goodwin and Simmons each hit two three-pointers during the decisive surge.

“We just starting making our shots,” Goodwin said. “The energy Jaxson and Jeremiah gave us really got us going in the second half.”

Ohio University signee Mason McMurray of Stow led all scorers with 24 points. Sincere Carry of state runner-up Solon added 20, along with five assists.

In the nightcap, Ohio State-bound Justin Ahrens of Versailles scored a game-high 31 points for MVP honors as the South routed the North 134-119 in the Division III-IV game.

“We didn’t have too many big guys; I think I was our biggest guy at 6-6, and I’m a shooting guard,” Ahrens said. “I knew we could shoot, though. We hit a lot of threes and that was the difference.”

Tre’ Baumgardner of Division III state runner-up Africentric chipped in 18 points and four assists for the South. Baumgardner will play for Division II Minnesota State.

“I was a little rusty today, but with so many good players and shooters around me, all I really had to do was drive and kick it,” Baumgardner said.

Drew Johnson of Pandora-Gilboa (19 points) and Michael Bothwell of Cornerstone Christian (18) paced the North.

In the Division I-II girls game at Denison, Abby Prohaska of Lakota West scored 23 points for MVP honors as the South edged the North 95-93.

The North rallied past the South to win the Division III-IV game 97-86.