By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Oh, how Central State's Tim Crooks and Wilberforce's Helie White wish there had been a "Dream is Real" Basketball Classic, like the one they will play in Sunday at Xavier University's Schmidt Fieldhouse, five years ago.

Upstate rivals Central State (6-6) and Wilberforce (3-12) - located across the street from each another in Wilberforce, Ohio - will play in the event at 8 p.m., after high school rivals Withrow (7-3) and Western Hills (7-1) play at 6 p.m.

Neither Crooks, who attended Withrow, nor White, a Colerain graduate, was recruited out of high school, even though each is now starting for his college team. Because they wanted to continue their education and still play basketball, they tried out for their college teams.

Both said if they'd had the opportunity to play in front of college coaches in a game such as Sunday's, they might have been recruited.

"I had a friend who was going to Wilberforce, and I figured, 'Why not try it?' " said White, a senior co-captain who averages 20.8 points. "It's worked out great. I've played here for three years, and this is my first chance to play in Cincinnati (with the Bulldogs). It's a big thrill. It's an added dimension that we're getting to play our rivals."

Said Crooks, a junior averaging eight points and four rebounds for the Marauders: "It'll be a joy to come home. I coached the freshman team at Withrow in the year I was between Columbus State (a junior college where he played two years) and Central State, so it's going to be great to see them again."

Their coaches also appreciate how the Classic can expose them to more high school athletes.

"It's very possible that if we'd had this game (five) years ago that we would have recruited Tim," said his coach, Doug Lewis. "I'm a coach who likes hard-working guys who bring their lunch pails, and Tim definitely brings his lunch pail."

Wilberforce coach Geoff Warren felt similarly.

"Helie has developed into an excellent player," Warren said. "We kind of look for him to get us going. It's going to be a good crowd (Sunday), a good atmosphere for these games."

The "Dream is Real" Classic takes its name from the late Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

The doubleheader is the brainchild of businessman Steve Reece, who wants to expose local kids to the opportunities at the two black universities and, in turn, expose recruiters at those universities to the young athletic, musical and academic talent in Cincinnati.

"The primary thing for our young people is to get the education," Reece said.

Some Central State music students will play at the game today, as will Withrow's drum line, said Reece, who noted that Central State has music scholarships.

"This is an excellent opportunity for our students to see what's out there," said Withrow athletic director Steve Castator. "Sharon Johnson, the president of our University School, makes a great point. She tells the students, 'Just because your mom and dad may not have gone to college, doesn't mean they don't want you to go.' "

If You Go

What: "Dream is Real" Basketball Classic

When: Sunday

Where: Schmidt Fieldhouse, Xavier University

Who: Withrow vs. Western Hills, 6 p.m.; Central State vs. Wilberforce, 8 p.m.

Tickets: For both games combined, $10 for students, $15 for adults. Available at Integrity Hall, 2081 Seymour Ave., Bond Hill. If any tickets remain Sunday, they will be sold at the door.