Summer Scrimmage Session: Trotwood Madison vs. Cincinnati Hughes
June is a time for high school coaches to get their kids back from the AAU circuit for team camps, scrimmages and other team related activities. And this was exactly the situation Saturday as Cincinnati Hughes hosted teams from around the Midwest for a series of scrimmages. Columbus Northland, Indianapolis Northwest and Cincinnati Summit Country Day were among the schools that participated in this event. But there was one match-up that created a buzz in the gym once tip-off began and that was the Hughes-Trotwood Madison match-up. Both teams are looked at as teams that could get to Columbus next March in the Division II bracket, with Trotwood making it last season. It was also the first look at both programs without two of the top players from the 2017 class, Torrey Patton for Trotwood and Corry Long for Hughes.
The game almost had the feel of a playoff matchup as there was plenty of chirping from both teams throughout the game. Hughes, who is working three transfers into their rotation, looked out of sorts offensively through much of the game. Big Red had plenty of turnovers throughout much of the game which helped Trotwood convert many easy buckets. Hughes also had a tough time keeping the Rams off the offensive boards as Trotwood was the much more physical team throughout the matchup as the Rams walked away with a hard fought 67-55 victory.
For Trotwood, Myles Belyeu really, really stood out with his play on the court. The class of 2018 power wing showed the ability to score from all three levels Saturday. He was able to use his strength against the smaller defenders and used his quickness and athleticism against smaller defenders. Belyeu also showed a nice, soft touch from 15-18 feet and athleticism to finish above the rim as well. The Belyeu-Shawn Hawkins matchup was the best matchup of the afternoon. Both are similar size and build and did not give an inch to each other, with the referee having to talk to both young men. Belyeu is a name that coaches at the D-II and lower D-I level will want to remember for next season.
For Hughes, the backcourt of Giovanni Santiago and Dwayne Rosado kept the Big Red in the game. Santiago has looked impressive all summer and showed flashes of that play again on Saturday as he consistently knocked down pull-up jumper after pull-up jumper. The talented senior to be also competed very hard on the defensive end harassing Trotwood ball-handlers the whole game. Rosado, who got off to a slow start, really got going in the second half. One of the better shooters in the city, Rosado was able to get his self-open for better looks at the bucket while using the show and go to get a couple of easy buckets.
If this was a scrimmage I can only imagine what a March match-up would give the fans.