Gagai finds success as freshman
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — When Dennis Gagai stepped up to the next level, so did his game.
After a stellar career at Ironton High School, Gagai is now a freshman for NCAA Division II Northern Kentucky.
Gagai averaged 10.7 points a game and made a team-high 62 3-point baskets. Always a good foul shooter, Gagai hit 84.6 percent of his free throws.
Gagai was surprised but happy with the award.
“It’s a good award because it’s at a different level. Playing in a conference makes it harder. Every game counts,” said Gagai.
“Yeah, I was (surprised). There were a couple of times where I struggled.
There were stretches where teams shut me down. They said I was in the running, but I didn’t think I’d win it.”
Earlier this season, Gagai set a school record by making 7-of-8 shots from behind the 3-point line for 87.5 percent. He was 11-of-12 from the field for the game as he scored a career-high 29 points.
Gagai’s play this season helped NKU to a 20-7 record and a berth in the regional tournament.
The 6-foot-4 guard sat out last season as a preferred invited walk-on at West Virginia.
At Ironton, Gagai set the school record for career points. He was the Associated Press Southeast District Division III Player of the Year aswell as the Coaches District 13 choice as the best player.
Gagai helped Ironton to a state runner-up his junior season and the regional finals as a senior.
COAL GROVE — Bring on the best.
The Coal Grove Hornets 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior lineman has been selected to play for the South team in the annual Ohio High School Football Coaches Association’s annual all-star game at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
“When (Hornets) coach (Dave Lucas) told me he nominated me, I was excited, but I never expected to make the team,” said Harmon. “(The talent level) doesn’t bother me. I look forward to the challenge.”
Lucas wasn’t surprised by Harmon’s selection. He said the All-Ohio standout was deserving of the honor.
“Dustin is a really good football player. He’s worked as hard as any kid we’ve had here,” said Lucas who has coached the Hornets for 24 years.
“He’s a really strong player and he’s a really good defensive player.”
Strong? Harmon bench presses more than 400 pounds and he used his strength to block opponents from his offensive guard position and to make defensive stops from his tackle spot.
“It doesn’t really matter. I can play both sides of the ball,” said Harmon.
Harmon is a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection. He was a first team Associated Press first team Division V all-district selection and special mention All-Ohio.
Despite his success in high school, Harmon knows the next level will be more difficult.
“It will be a lot more competitive than playing in the (Ohio Valley Conference). Everyone is a lot bigger. There will be a lot of players going to Ohio State and other (Division I) schools. It’s exciting.”
Also representing the area will be South Point head coach Doug Shilot who has been selected as one of five assistant coaches. Tim Brown of Groveport will be the head coach.
Players are scheduled to report for practice on June 9.
IRONTON — There are a lot of things Felipe Beach likes about the
upstart football program at Kentucky Christian University.
Beach likes the fact the Knights are only a year old. He likes the new facilities. And he likes the food.
“I liked starting with a new program and getting new facilities,” said Beach. “To be a first-year program, they put up a lot of points (last season). I think it’s exciting.”
Beach chuckled at the fact there was a nearby Hardee’s restaurant, but opponents didn’t chuckle at the 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive lineman who was a two-year starter.
The Knights unveiled their program last year with three junior varsity and three varsity games. Beach said the program had a lot to offer.
By entering a program with young players makes KCU a golden opportunity, according to Beach.
“Hopefully, I have a better chance to play since all the players are freshmen,” said Beach.
Beach not only played tackle, guard and even fullback on offense he also played nose guard and tackle on defense. He said coach Damron’s initial plans are to utilize him at nose guard. “I’ve played everything. It doesn’t matter to me,” said Beach.
Beach will be joined next fall at KCU by high school teammate Bub Johnson who also signed with the Knights.
“I was looking at Kentucky Christian and Bubby said he’d go with me and that got me thinking I wanted to go down there,” said Beach.
The Ironton lineman said being close to home was another reason for picking the Knights.
“One good thing is gas is about 30 cents cheaper. Me and Bubby can take turns on trips home and it won’t cost as much,” said Beach.
Felipe is the son of Rachel Beach and Felipe Beach.
Harmon to represent Hornets at North/South game
Beach looking forward to playing at the next level
WILLOW WOOD — The award went to Jeff “Odie’ Estep, but he was ready to give out his own awards.
Estep was enshrined Jan. 18 into the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Columbus. But Estep only wanted to share the spotlight.
“Really this award goes to my former players and assistant coaches.
Without those people’s help and talents, I’d never get this award,” said Estep.
“I’ve had a lot of good help. Chuck Renfroe taught me a lot about the game.”
Estep, 45, has coached 16 years as a head coach and 17 overall including one season as an assistant, all at Symmes Valley.
Candidates for the hall of fame must have at least 800 points based on wins, tournament wins, conference titles and service as an association officer.
Estep, who is the district vice president, currently has more than 2,000 points.
Estep has 277 career victories 127, 11 Southern Ohio Conference championships, nine SOC coach of the year awards and two in the now defunct SVAC, and eight district Coach of the Year honors.
His teams won two SVAC league titles.
He has guided the Lady Vikings to three district titles and a regional crown in 2005 when Symmes Valley finished as the Division IV state runners-up. On two occasions his teams reached the regional finals.
While his resume is loaded, Estep was still humbled by the honor.
“It’s something that 17 years ago when I started I never thought I get. I watched a lot of people walk across that stage, but I never dreamed I would be up there one day.”
Estep also mention other people who have helped him along the way, especially his assistant coaches Jeff Saunders, Greg Harmon, Joe Martin, Randall Sharp and Renfroe who spent 14 seasons with the Lady Vikings.
Estep becomes the second softball coach from Lawrence Country to be honored by the Coaches’ Association. South Point’s Jan Keatley was inducted in 1998.
Estep and his wife, Patty, have two children, a son Hunter, 7, and daughter Emily, 5.
Estep humbled by recognition
It has been said that good things come in small packages. If that’s the case, the small package being shipped to Kentucky Christian University football coach Dane Damron is going to be very good.
Even though he is only 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, Harold “Bub” Johnson has the heart and desire of a fierce linebacker who resembles someone the size of Brian Uhrlacher.
The Ironton Fighting Tigers senior defensive back and running back signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Knights who will benefit from his spirit and talent.
The quick, speedy Johnson is expected to play wide receiver in the KCU spread offense.
“It will get me matched up with a linebacker and let me use my speed and quickness to get open,” said Johnson.
“It’s going to be exciting. It helped that I was at Ironton and I was always going against bigger guys, and in the SEOAL they were even bigger guys. It’s going to be a different experience.”
Johnson comes to KCU at a good time. The Knights initiated a football program in 2007 and broke ground on a new $1 million facility.
After talking with Ironton teammate Felipe Beach, Johnson said he liked the challenge and both players signed with the Knights.
“Felipe told me about it and I contacted the coach and I liked what I saw,” said Johnson. “I like it because you get to start your own legacy.
It’s something new. I’m always up to new challenges.”
Besides playing at the college level, Johnson faces another change with the spread offense after playing in the Ironton T-formation.
“I’ve been playing in the T-offense for 10 or 12 years. We ran it in grade school. It’s going to be exciting to try something new,” said Johnson.
Bub is the son of Aaron and Bridget Johnson of Ironton.
Johnson ready for challenge
