Centerville's Odenigbo on ESPN football team

Ifeadi Odenigbo of Centerville High School is one of four Ohio seniors to be named to the ESPNHS All-America football teams.

Odenigbo was selected as a third-team defensive end. The 6-4, 220 pounder also was DDN’s Divisions I-II defensive player of the year. He is uncommitted, but reportedly has narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Stanford, Northwestern and Notre Dame.

Other Ohio ESPNHS selections include quarterback Maty Mauk (Kenton) and linebacker Adolphus Washington (Cincinnati Taft), both second-team picks, and third-team choice Ross Martin (Cuyahoga Falls), a kicker.

Hobby on the mend: Just when it looked like he was going to be back, Centerville boys basketball standout Will Hobby is out again.

He broke a bone in his right foot in September and missed most of the preseason, returning in time for one scrimmage and a preview game.

Hobby started the first five games, but broke a bone in his left foot in the first quarter of the Elks’ loss to Springfield.

Until then, Hobby averaged 9.8 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals.

“I have no idea how long he will be out,” Centerville coach Jim Staley said.

“He was an All-GWOC player last season. The last time, he was out six weeks. He is our other ball-handler and is a real good free throw shooter. He was one of our leaders.”

Pirate pursuit: New head girls basketball coach Craig Harden has a mighty task at West Carrollton: Snap a 58-game losing streak.

The Pirates (0-7), haven’t won since beating Eaton on Jan. 17, 2009. West Carrollton pushed Carlisle in their final game of 2011, falling 38-33. Carlisle is 7-1.

WC returns to play on Monday, Jan. 2 against Franklin (1-5).

Varsity DH: Fairborn will host Beavercreek in a rare girls varsity (6 p.m.) and boys varsity (7:30 p.m.) doubleheader at Memorial Fieldhouse.

Two questions: What took so long for this concept to become a reality and can we expect to see more of the same from area boys and girls teams?

Fairborn’s girls (6-1) are coming off a setback to top-ranked Springboro. Beavercreek (4-2) has lost only to Centerville and Springboro.

Creek’s boys (4-1) are riding a four-game win streak. Fairborn’s boys (4-2) have lost only to Miamisburg and Northmont.

These four teams obviously have great starts to their seasons. Combined, they are 18-6.

Honored six: Northmont will induct six new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The new members are Collin Abels (1993 graduate), Lance Beck (’94), Kelly Klaus Scherer (’89), Phil Nussman (’81), and former coaches Rick “Fireball” Roberts and Dale Storch.

It's a record: If you're stuck on number crunching, the National Federation of State High School Associations has a web site for you at nfhs.org/recordbook.

Formerly only available in print, the site holds the all-time national records in 16 boys and girls varsity sports. Also, records will be updated as they’re verified rather than annually.

Contact this writer at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews. com. John Cummings contributed to this report.

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