Flyers aim for a great class

Persistence could pay off for Dayton, with  high-ranking prospects looking its way.

Flyers going after guards

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 12:31 AM Sunday, June 28, 2009

Jesse Berry, the second-leading high school scorer in Indiana as a junior last season, has scholarship offers from Cincinnati and Butler and has drawn interest from Kentucky, Arizona and the home-state Hoosiers.

But the 6-foot-1 guard, who averaged 27.5 points for Lafayette Jefferson, visited Dayton this weekend and currently has the Flyers ranked No. 1 among his college choices.

“Everything there seems like it’s working out just perfect right now,” he said.

Berry isn’t the only prospect in the 2010 class who views Dayton that way.

Jalen Steele, who has led Fulton High School in Tennessee to two straight state titles, is being recruited by Marquette, Clemson and Xavier, but the Flyers gained an early advantage by being the first to offer him a full ride and is winning him over with their persistence.

“They’re at the top of my list,” the 6-foot-2 senior said.

Brandon Spearman, a 6-3, 185-pound guard from Chicago Simeon High School, also said UD is his leader. He’s ranked as the 71st best prospect nationally by Rivals.com.

All three players intend to wait until after the AAU season in July to make a decision, and a lot can change by then. But with highly regarded point guard Juwan Staten already in the fold, the Flyers could be on the verge of putting together one of their all-time best recruiting classes.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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