Cincinnati Basketball Diaries: State Finals Weekend
It’s a bittersweet edition of the Cincinnati Basketball Diaries. While excited for the fact that it is state finals weekend, this also means it’s the last entry of the prep season. And what a season it was, full of twist and turns. Young and 1st year varsity players making a name for themselves, others who already cemented or improved their status/ranking within the state. But all good things must come to an end. Insert deep sigh!!!
Let’s hope that the Basketball Gods shine brighter on Cincinnati than the DEBACLE that was last weekend and the NCAA tourney. The Deer Park Wildcats (27-0, #2 D-III) and Moeller Crusaders (25-3, #2 D-I) both have chances to bring home titles to the Cincy area. For Moeller it’s a chance at redemption after coming up one point short of a state title and perfect season to Massillon Jackson last season. The Wildcats on the other hand are making there first state finals weekend appearance in school history and are looking to become the 1st Cincy area team to go undefeated during a title season since 2007. But first both squads must win their state semi’s match-ups with Deer Park playing today at 5:15 against Cleveland Heights Lutheran East and the Crusaders taking on Lorain Friday also at 5:15pm in Columbus.
Speaking of Deer Park two of their talented perimeter players received D-I offers over the past couple of weeks. 2018 combo guard Damani McEntire (Prep Hoops Indy #60) received an offer from Texas Southern on March 14. McEntire also has an offer from Navy as he stated to PHO back in our January interview. But not be out done, 2020 combo guard Mark Wise (PHO #57) received his first D-I offer from Kent State on March 5th. Expect to hear a lot about both young men this weekend.
Well it’s spring which can only mean one thing, AAU is here! Coaches and Club Directors please contact me at wrightone80@gmail.com with any roster and practice information that you may have available at this time. Nothing like talking a little basketball.
Speaking of AAU this is the time of year where the NBA guys come back and do the tourney games and rail on AAU coaching and player development. And yes, they are plenty of coaches and programs who do a horrible job at making players better, but this is not as widespread an issue as some think. The great state of Ohio has plenty of programs who are not only developing better players but also better young men. I guess it just depends on the program.