Published: May 06, 2006 03:20 pm      

Jeff’s Ballard commits to Miami (Ohio)

Jeffersonville High School senior Antonio Ballard has given a verbal committment to play basketball next year at Miami University (Ohio).

Jeff athletic director Tony Branch and head coach Jimmy Just both confirmed that Ballard informed the school of his decision late Thursday night. Ballard is expected to sign a letter of intent with the school early next week.

Ballard was the 2006 Hoosier Hills Conference Player of the Year after helping the Red Devils to a 23-2 record last season and a spot in the final of the Class 4A Seymour Regional. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest and ranked fifth in the state by shooting 64.6 percent from the field.

In a sectional semifinal victory over Seymour, Ballard scored 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including a 4-of-6 effort from behind the 3-point stripe.

Miami, an NCAA Division I school located in Oxford, Ohio, went 18-10 last season and qualified for the National Invitation Tournament — falling to Butler in the first round.

The Redhawks were 14-4 in the Mid-American Conference.

Calls to Ballard were not immediately returned.