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Panthers show their bite!
Whitmer hands Perrysburg 1st loss
Updated: Wednesday, 30 Dec 2009
Howard Chen
FOX Toledo Sports Director
PERRYSBURG, Ohio - Perrysburg's staved off numerous tests this season, but Whitmer proved to be too much, giving the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season.
Brian Boyce missed a potentially game-tying 3 at the buzzer as the Panthers hang on for the 60-57 win.
Leading the scoring for Whitmer was Kenny Hayes with 16, but it was his brother Nigel who may have provided the spark the Panthers needed. The freshman scored all nine of his points in the second half, when the Panthers clawed back from a deficit to eventually take the lead on a Dareon Jones jumper in the final minute.
Article published January 23, 2010
City boys: Nigel Hayes' 31 points pace Panthers past Rams
Whitmer's Nigel Hayes and Rogers' Quincy Caldwell finished in a standoff with 31 points each, but it was the Panthers who prevailed 89-76 last night in City League boys basketball.
Article published January 30, 2010
Hayes' FTs lift Whitmer past Libbey
By JOHN WAGNER BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Whitmer's Nigel Hayes was standing at the foul line with the basketball - and the Panthers' City League title hopes - in his hands.
His team trailed visiting Libbey by a single point, and 23.9 seconds were all that remained.
The freshman delivered, making a pair of pressure-packed free throws, and Whitmer managed to survive the Cowboys' final possession to claim a 62-61 City League victory.
Was the freshman nervous?
"I was nervous, but I wasn't that nervous," said Hayes, who finished with a game-high 21 points. "I've been working on my free throws for situations like this."
Nigel Hayes, Whitmer
A combination of solid post moves, inside scoring touch, ability to draw contact, good vision in transition and the knack to knock down free throws and the occasional 3-pointer, Hayes appears to be a lock for big-time college basketball by 2013. Add to that his ability in the classroom, where he carries a 4.0 grade-point average thus far, and his attractiveness increases.
As far as debuts go, you couldn't ask for much more than the one Hayes had Dec. 11 at home against Start.
Hayes scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, blocked five shots, and hit an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Panthers a 61-60 win.
Every game has not been quite that amazing for Hayes. But he did fire in a career-high 31 points in a win over Rogers.
?The jump was pretty hard,? Hayes said. ?In junior high basketball, I could get out of position and still get back in there, because I was way above everybody else. But in high school, you have to do everything right or else you'll get beat.
?A high for me has been my first game and then at midseason. The low was my second game [loss to Central Catholic] and then a little bit after that. But I tried to keep it balanced so that I can help my team win. You try to learn from the older guys as much as you can, but you can't look at it as you're a freshman, you have to look at as you're an addition to the team and you have to play hard.?
?What makes him good is just his overall knowledge of the game,? Whitmer coach Bruce Smith said. ?His basketball IQ is real high, and when you're 6-6 you can see over people and pass over people. The game is a lot easier if you're 6-6. The fact that he's this big this early and has that basketball IQ is really a big part of why he's good.?
How far can Hayes go?
?That's up to him,? Smith said. ?Somebody asked me that when William Buford was a freshman and I said, ?The sky's the limit. He could be as good as Jimmy Jackson.' I think that's proving to be pretty much true. William does have that kind of upside.?
Although Hayes still has three high school years remaining, he is already formulating a plan for his future.
?My long-term process is to go to North Carolina or Kentucky for college, stay there for two years, and then go to the NBA,? Hayes said.
Does that mean he won't join older brother Ken ? a Whitmer junior who has already committed to Ohio State for football ? in college?
?I might be a Buckeye,? Nigel said. ?I don't know yet.?
Hayes is the best post-up player of the three. He is very good scoring in the low post and can step out, face and is a solid shooter to 17 feet with his feet set. Hayes is also the best rebounder of the group.
Hayes has an offer from Xavier. He is also being courted by the Buckeyes. Hayes is currently playing football alongside his brother (Kenny), who is committed to Ohio State to play football next fall.
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Ohio State AAU RecapHis older brother is a defensive end commitment to Ohio State, and look for the younger Hayes to be recruited at the high-major level before it is all said and done. At 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, Hayes is a specimen for a young prospect, and he is coming into his own. Hayes plays with a high motor all the time, and simply knows how to score around the rim. The athleticism is coming, and with more strength he could be very tough to deal with down low. Right now everything is with his right hand, so developing an adequate off hand is going to be important, but for a young interior player Hayes showed very well for himself.
LitlBuck;1742901; said:Possible that he may join Loving at St. John's
Nigel Hayes -
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Ohio State AAU Recap
Paliki found receiver Nigel Hayes with 20- and 30-yard passes in the last 5 minutes of the period. Kenczewicz kicked extra points on all four of the scores to give Whitmer a 42-0 lead at halftime.
Originally Published: May 23, 2011
All-Ohio Super Sixteen Showcase recap
By John Stovall
ESPN Recruiting
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The All-Ohio Super Sixteen Showcase had some strong Ohio flavor as practically all of the top programs from the Buckeye State participated, as well as top teams from Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and even New York. This event continues to be a main stop on the spring calendar.
Standout players
Nigel Hayes (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer)
2013, PF/SF, 6-foot-7, 210 pounds | Team: All Ohio Red
College: Undecided
He is a skilled power forward who is slowly trying to make the transition to the wing. He is able to operate a lot more on the perimeter for his high school team, where he even leads the break at times. However, he plays mostly inside for his All Ohio travel team. Hayes has a very good game in the paint with excellent hands and nice footwork. He has good back-to-the-basket moves, can score well in the paint and has an improving 17-foot jump shot. He is also a good defender who can step out and defend in space.
Here?s a sneak preview of some prospects who will draw the attention of Matta and his assistants this month:
Nigel Hayes
Height, Weight: 6-7, 210
Position: Shooting Forward
School: Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer
ESPN Ranking: 8th among SFs, 43rd overall in class of 2013
Considering: A bunch of Midwestern and in-state schools including Ohio State, West Virginia
Camp This Week: Nike LeBron James Skills Academy
Outlook: Hayes is a terrific athlete with a 7-2 wingspan, and it doesn?t hurt Matta?s chances that the wing is an Ohioan and the younger brother of OSU defensive end Kenny Hayes. A great showing this week at the LeBron Camp could vault him into elite status but also cause the Ohio State staff to show even more interest in him. Hayes can score in the low post and out to the three-point arc but he?ll need to develop more strength to be a consistent force. He?s a very solid rebounder for a small forward. Hayes plays for the All-Ohio Red AAU program and is a teammate of Loving.