Marquee Matchups: Week 7 in Northwest Ohio
The Northwest Ohio games feature a rivalry and a couple out-of-town powerhouses matching up with local contenders.
Dec. 12: Versailles at Marion Local
What a week for Versailles. They’ve breezed through the schedule thus far, but will battle with Fort Loramie, Marion Local, and Sidney at Flyin’ to the Hoop in a six-day stretch. AJ and Justin Ahrens will be the favorite in this game, but Marion Local is starting the season well after a late start because of the football team. The Flyers from Maria Stein are led by senior Tyler Mescher and junior Nathan Bruns. Defensively, Bruns is a gritty 6’5” kid who can make Ahrens work for shots and provide resistance on drives.
Dec. 12: Toledo St. Francis at Toledo St. John’s
St. Francis’s emergence as a basketball program will reach an important benchmark when they take down their rival, St. John’s. The moment may still be a year away, given the junior class of Jakiel Wells and Jackson Harris. Yet, the 2019 prospects, especially a 6’7” Harris in the paint, could make St. John’s seniors sweat. Expect important minutes for opposing 2021 prospects Jamiya Neal (SFS) and Braydon Lichtenberg (SJJ).
Dec. 13: Lakewood St. Edward at Toledo St. John’s
After scouting each other at the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic at the end of December, Eds and SJJ will face-off in Toledo. Both are State Tournament hopefuls, with St. Edward ending December as #2 in Division I and St. John’s #9.
Prospects in this game are headlined by VCU signee Vincent Williams of St. John’s, surrounded by Houston King, Ryan Christie, Elijah Kimmons, Braydon Lichtenberg, and Payton Moyer. St. Edward 6’5” sophomore wing Devontae Blanton has a similar skill-set and will presumably matchup with a more physically imposing Williams. Blanton comes in with his tribe of Grant Huffman, Montorie Foster, Demetrius Terry, Emmett Chambers, and PJ Flannery.