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Minster senior Cole McClurg (gray shirt) will attend Capital University and play basketball for the Comets next season.
MINSTER - Over the last 20-plus years, Capital University men's basketball coach Damon Goodwin has looked close to his St. Marys home to find top talent for the Comets' program.
The Grand Lake area pipeline continues as Minster senior Cole McClurg formally committed to play at the NCAA Division III program in the Bexley neighborhood of Columbus.
"Coach Goodwin reached out a year ago when I was playing AAU," said McClurg, who will major in business marketing. "We knew him through (former Minster standout) Justin Nixon and (former Marion Local player) Alex Eyink. We knew he was a good coach and was from a good family. … What I saw from Capital was a place to get a good education and have a good path to my future."
The Comets finished the 2025-26 season at 9-16 with a 4-12 record in Ohio Athletic Conference play.
Over the years, Capital has had a number of area players play, including St. Henry graduates Nate Stahl and Ross Niekamp, St. Marys grad Adam Johns, Fort Recovery's Chuck Bihn, current St. Henry boys coach Eric Rosenbeck and Minster alum Justin Nixon.
McClurg's guard play has been key for the Wildcats during his career. McClurg averaged 11.4 points and 5.6 assists per game this season.
This past season, McClurg became the Wildcats' all-time leader in assists with 334 and ranks seventh in steals with 110 and 19th in career scoring with 796 points. McClurg earned first team All-Midwest Athletic Conference and honorable mention Division VII All-Ohio honors.
"There's so much I can take from Minster (when going to Capital)," said McClurg. "Best thing that could happen to me having Dad (Minster head coach Michael McClurg) coaching me. Mainly what I'll take is the way you do things. In basketball, I've had a hard path, so I think I learned to face adversity through those things. I know Minster has prepared me for everything school-wise and basketball-wise for the future."
