Marquee Matchups: Week 6 in Northwest Ohio
Week six in Northwest Ohio pits Sylvania Southview in two challenging non-conference games. Also, a Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) battle goes down on Friday.
Jan. 2: Southview at Rogers
After taking a week off during the holidays, Southview will look to maintain their perfect record tomorrow at Rogers. Going into January, Southview is the conference favorite for the Northern Lakes League, while Rogers is undefeated in the Toledo City League despite starting 2-6.
Rogers’ non-conference schedule has been brutal, losing games to Pickerington North by 10 and Toledo St. John’s by 37. Yet, they’ll have a size advantage on the wing with 6’5” senior Christian Smith and emerging 6’4” sophomore combo forward Desean Nelson. Southview is led by Ryan Fries, Christian Wagenhauser and Tyson King.
Jan. 5: Maumee Valley Country Day @ Cardinal Stritch
Cardinal Stritch came in at #6 in our Division III December Power Rankings because of their 9-1 start and win over Cornerstone Christian. Yet, Friday’s game against Maumee Valley will have the gym packed to see a premier point guard duel.
Both Maumee Valley’s Zeb Jackson and Cardinal Stritch’s Joey Holifield sport Division I offers from MAC schools, even though both are only sophomores. Last season, Cardinal Stritch bested the Hawks in both matchups.
Jan. 6: Wauseon at Southview
Southview’s third game of the week will be the toughest of the trio, as Wauseon looks primed for another postseason run to Columbus. The Austin Rotroff-led reigning Regional Champs are 8-0 heading into the week with an average margin of victory of +28.8. Along with Rotroff, unsigned 6’3” guard Brooks Gype is having a strong season as a playmaker and shooter.
If Southview can get through this week at 3-0 or 2-1, it will be time for St. John’s to take them more seriously as a contender for the District Title.