Week Six Previews and Predictions
Last week was just an average week for me in the Previews and Predictions department. I ended the last week of 2017 with a 1-1 record, with one game mysteriously getting cancelled at the last second. But that’s neither here nor there, it’s a new year and a new week. And with all area teams back in town, we are back to a full schedule of games for the week. So, do not fret if your school is closed due to the frigid temps, games are still going on as scheduled for the evening. So here are the Previews and Predictions for week six.
Last Week: 1-1
Season: 9-4
Oak Hills (5-3, 3-1) at Mason (7-0, 4-0), Friday 7:30pm: A huge match-up in the GMC between the teams that finished 1-2 last year in the conference and currently sit 2-3 this year. For Oak Hills the supporting cast will have to be huge in support of senior 2018 G Nick Deifel. Senior G Marcus Dockery came big with 15 points for the Highlanders in their win against LaSalle Saturday. Can he or someone else help Deifel out against a team with three players averaging at least 13ppg in Mason. For the Comets 2018 W/F Noah Pedelty (PHO #85) is 2nd in the conference in assist (3.7) and blocks (1.7) and is 8th in points per game (13.6).
Prediction: Mason
Roger Bacon (4-6, 1-2) at Purcell Marian (1-2, 6-4), Friday 7:30pm: A must win for both teams if they want to keep pace with McNicholas and Hamilton Badin in the GCL Co-Ed. Purcell is coming off a nice victory over D-III rival Shroder on Saturday while Bacon has lost 5 of there last 6. Coach Brian Neal Bacon really team needs a victory with how the brutal their schedule is the rest of January and February.
Prediction: Purcell Marian
LaSalle (3-4, 0-0) at Elder (4-5, 0-0), Friday 7:30pm: It’s January which means the GCL-South is finally starting their conference games. Expect a tough defensive battle where every possession will be a grind. And as it is with all games in this storied conference, expect the crowd intensity to match if not surpass the intensity on the court. This game also features the two top scorers in the conference in LaSalle G Riley Haubner (20.7ppg) and Elder G Zach Harp (16.3ppg).
Prediction: LaSalle
Reading (5-3, 2-2) at Wyoming (5-2, 2-2), Friday 7:30pm: Both teams are locked in a three-way tie for 2nd place in the Cincinnati Hills League. Wyoming must find a way to keep Bryce Hunt (F, PHO 2018 #36) from controlling the paint. Hunt is 1st in the league in blocks (5.0) and rebounds (12.6) while also averaging 12.5ppg. The Cowboys are always tough to beat at home; so, it might take those numbers from Hunt and better for the Blue Devils to get the road victory.
Prediction: Reading