Mayes: big's not big enough

While Greg Mayes develops at Ashland, brother Sam grows at Oklahoma St.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ASHLAND -- When Greg Mayes was a senior last season with the Austintown Fitch High basketball team, he usually was a dominating force near the hoop because of his talent, size and jumping ability.
But there is a big difference between high school and college basketball, and Mayes is finding that out in his freshman year with Ashland University team.
Specifically, he has discovered that even though he is a 6-foot-7, 205-pound, high-jumping forward, there are bigger players than him in the collegiate ranks.
And therein lies one of his biggest challenges.
"I need to get bigger. Everyone in the league is bigger and I keep getting pushed around. I am constantly in the weight room trying to get stronger," said Mayes.
But he already has made big strides in his rookie season, and has become a key player off the bench for Ashland, especially as a rebounder.
Strong on boards
Playing in 24 games, three as a starter, Mayes was averaging 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 points while averaging 14.2 minutes as of last week, as Ashland posted a 10-14 record, including 3-11 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
He also made 23-of-47 shots (48.9 percent) from the field, and 19-for-51 (37.3 percent) at the foul line.
Mayes had 10 rebounds, eight of them on offense, in Ashland's 74-59 loss to Northern Michigan Jan. 22.
Coach Roger Lyons, a former assistant coach at Youngstown State, said Mayes has taken big steps in his development.
"Greg's improved by leaps and bounds. At first he was very low on skills and great on talent. Now he has started to develop his skills," said Lyons, noting that Mayes has shown consistency in his improvement.
"Greg's made steady improvement which is all we ask. As the individual gets better, so does the team."
Lyons said Mayes has benefited from weight training, and hopefully will continue to do so.
"[Mayes] has gotten a lot stronger from being in the weight room," said Lyons. "No question that his future success will be determined by the work he puts in this summer. This will be the most important summer of his career."
Concentrates on rebounds
Mayes has been focusing on rebounds.
"Whenever I get in the game, I just try and get as many rebounds as I can. Once the ball hits the rim, I just go right after it. It's the only thing on my mind," he said.
But Mayes also wants to become an offensive threat and score some points.
"I need to work on my post moves. I don't feel that I am an offensive threat. I just have to work hard and get better," he said.
While at Fitch, for coach Gary Conroy, Mayes averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds his senior season and was named All-Ohio first team and All-Northeast Ohio player of the year.
Credits brother
Mayes credits a lot of his success to his brother, Sam Mayes, a former Fitch football player for coach Brian Fedyski, who now is a standout offensive lineman for Oklahoma State.
"My brother is such a role model to me," said Greg. "He always pushed me to work hard and become a better player."
The brothers are the sons of George S. and Deborah Mayes.
Sam, a 6-4, 350-pound junior offensive guard for Oklahoma State, has been a two-year starter and helped the Cowboys to a 9-4 record last season.
While at Fitch, Sam gained a reputation for being a pancake-type blocker by flattening 15 defensive players throughout his senior season in 1999.
His post-season accolades with the Falcons included honorable mention all-state, all-district and All-Steel Valley Conference.
Grows with Cowboys
After being redshirted at Oklahoma State in 2000, Sam made steady advances.
In 2001, as a freshman, he started three games and saw action in four others. He started once at left tackle and twice at right tackle.
Then, as a sophomore in 2002, he started all 13 games at right guard, capping the season against Southern Miss in the Houston Bowl. He also was a consensus honorable mention All-Big 12 selection.
Entering this past season, some preseason publications listed Sam among the 10 best linemen in college football.
And heading for his senior year, Sam is expected to be a strong NFL prospect.
Sam is majoring in education at Oklahoma State.
kovach@vindy.com