Marquee Matchups: Week 10 in Southern Ohio
Battles in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference and Greater Catholic League to start the week, followed by Ohio’s game of the week on Saturday night. It’s going down in Southern Ohio to start February!
Feb. 2: Hughes at Taft
Taft was 0-3 at one point this season. But we knew they were for real when the Senators played Hughes down to the wire in that third loss. Also, in retrospect, consecutive losses to Northland, McNicholas, and Hughes, aren’t embarrassing whatsoever. This team was coming off a football State Playoff run appearance and those are three quality opponents. With junior Chris’seon Stringer (22.2 points and 7.0 rebounds) back for Taft and Dominic “DJ” Brewton in the lineup for Hughes, this is looking like the game of the year in the CMAC.
Feb. 3: Marion Local at Fort Loramie
Click here for the game preview in the Northwest Ohio section.
Feb. 3: Africentric at McNicholas
McNick is 15-1 entering the week and rolled over Fenwick by 20 points to end week nine. We’re looking at a legitimate team. Senior point guard Ryan Reidy has the gift of court awareness, including finding scoring opportunities as he averages 17.4 points. The matchup for Reidy against Africentric’s Manning “Tre” Baumgardner is one of this week’s most interesting individual battles. Reidy is unsigned and will either be a Division III steal or late pickup for an NAIA or D-II. Meanwhile Baumgardner, coincidentally also averaging 17.4 points, is a Division II signee that will test Reidy.
Feb. 3: Fenwick at St. Xavier
The second place teams in the GCL-Central and GCL-South respectively will come together for an interesting matchup on Saturday. Led by junior 6’4” wing/forward CJ Napier, Fenwick comes into the week 11-3. Meanwhile, St. X has a balanced lineup and a record of 12-4. The matchup between Napier and unsigned 6’7” wing Brandon Gilbert is an opportunity for colleges to evaluate both against each other.
Feb. 3: Moeller at Springfield
We’ve got a potential Division I Regional Final preview in front of a passionate Springfield crowd on Saturday night. Moeller hasn’t lost a game in-state all season, even though they’ve dropped three against legitimate powerhouses from around the country. Springfield recently lost their first game of the season against undefeated Wayne on the road.
Moeller’s frontcourt of Jaxson Hayes, Alec Pfriem, and Jeremiah Davenport will bring the best out Springfield’s Leonard Taylor and Sam Towns. Although Towns has struggled to produce on offense this season, his rebounding and length will be crucial for Springfield. Also, 6’4” junior Ra’Heim Moss and his toughness is pivotal in slowing down Davenport. In the backcourt, Springfield’s deep rotation of sophomores will try to ware out Moeller with their pace of play.
Speaking of pace, that’s the component of the game to watch for. Moeller is known for their methodical half-court style and is only allowing 47.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Springfield is accustomed to playing in the 60s and 70s range with their up-tempo style. Even Taylor, a 6’6” forward, specializes in getting out in transition and breaking down opposing forwards on the perimeter.