Let the Flyin Begin

By DAYTON DAILY NEWS

Eric Horstman's dream of assembling the nation's best boys hoop talent at Vandalia Butler's Student Activities Center is in its fourth year. Lots of lineup changes are in place, there's a greater regional pitch. It's 21 teams and 16 games over three days. Let the games begin.

Flyin' to the NBA

There are now two Flyin' to the Hoop alumni who have made it to the NBA. New Orleans/Oklahoma City's J.R. Smith (St. Benedict's Prep of Newark, N.J.) and Los Angeles Laker Von Wafer (Heritage Christian, Huntsville, Texas) both played in the 2003 event. While Wafer is averaging just 1.8 points in 5.5 minutes, Smith is averaging 10.5 points and 24.8 minutes. Smith scored 30 in his team's 85-69 defeat of Wafer's club in '03. Both were on that season's all-tournament team.

Super-size that

At least four 7-footers are listed on Flyin' rosters, including two from Our Savior New American: Ring Ayvel (7-3) and David Obal (7-1). Stoneridge Prep of Simi Valley, Calif., boasts Boubacar Sylla (7-1) and Robbie Jackson (7-0) provides a lift for Prince Avenue Prep of Pickens, S.C. Just out of reach of that tall club are Kristoff Janiszewski of Community Christian (Stockbridge, Ga.) and Hamady N'Diaye (Stonebridge Prep), both at 6-11.

A global game

Community Christian of Morrow, Ga., has an international outreach ministry that helps in bringing foreign students to the United States. This move has helped make the Knights a prep school power. Players from Nigeria, Lithuania, Canada and elsewhere grace a roster with serious size. Kristoff Janiszewski is 6-11, 300 pounds while point guard Alex Mrozik is 6-8. Other 6-8 players include Paulius Cibulkis and Petras Balocka. Other publications have touted 6-foot Junior Cadougan as the nation's best freshman guard.

Tiger tough

First-year coach Dave Peltz can't say for certain how Versailles got involved with Flyin' to the Hoop. He can say that the Division III Tigers aren't intimidated being one of the smallest teams there. Versailles faces a challenge in D-I Vandalia Butler, taking on the host team at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. "We're looking forward to playing in it," said Peltz, who coached the Greenville girls last season. "We play a lot of big games almost every night in the Midwest Athletic Conference. We don't look at going in as a small school." Flyin' officials had interest in adding smaller programs to showcase different divisions and Versailles fit the description. The Tigers are expected to travel well with solid support. "I think it'll be fun," Peltz said. "The kids are looking forward to it."

Misc.

Vandalia Butler has its third coach in three seasons. After Ray Zawadzki retired, Mark Harden left and former football coach (and girls basketball coach) Steve Pelfrey took over. ... Of the 21 participating teams, 14 are from Ohio. ... Six games feature Ohio vs. out-of-state teams while five are all-Buckeye battles and five more feature out-of-state matchups.