5 Bold Predictions for the DCL in 2018-19
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Last year was a down season for the Dayton City League, as they did not send any teams to the Regionals come tournament time. Several young players established themselves as future stars in this league and give City League fans something to look forward to in 2018-19. Now with another year of varsity experience behind them, many of these young players will step into bigger roles for their teams. Here are 5 predictions for the DCL next season.
1. Stivers and Ponitz will challenge Dunbar at the top of the league
For years, the Dunbar Wolverines have been the top team in the Dayton City League, however 2018-19 will not be an easy task to repeat as champs. Stivers has arguably one of the top backcourts in the league in Trevon Ellis (2020 PHO # 57) and Allan Latimore (2021) and will be a challenge for Dunbar to matchup against. Ponitz is returning many pieces including double-double machine Damonte Bailey (2019) and should see improvement from their 9-14 team last season.
2. Anthony McCombs will be POY
After a strong freshman campaign where he finished 1st Team All-DCL, Anthony McCombs (2021) will return next season and be the top player. A 6’2” guard, McCombs uses his taller size as a guard to create mismatches on the offensive end and can occasionally knock down shots from behind the arc. We’ve seen him take over games for the Cougars and be a force to reckon with and 2018 should be no different.
3. Belmont will return to the bottom of the DCL
After a strong campaign where they finished 15-7 and knocked off Lebanon in the 1st round of the postseason, the Bison will likely see themselves competing at the bottom of the City league this year. They lose talented athletes Jadon Furlow, Jeff Hunt, and Phil Harewood and with their departures, lose 38 points per game of scoring. Having Kendall Moore (2019) return will help alleviate some of the loss, but he will have to show better ball security as Moore averaged 3 turnovers per game last season.
4. Thurgood Marshall will be a dark horse
Only 3 seniors leave this Cougars squad from last season. Among the returning players include McCombs and Chanze Amerson (2021) from a team that finished 9-14 last season. Height again will be a concern, but the Cougars showed they can hang with some of Dayton’s top teams, with single digit losses against Dunbar, Fort Loramie, and Chaminade-Julienne. We believe next season will be a breakout year and will see Thurgood Marshall challenging for a sectional title.
5. Trevon Ellis will establish himself as one of the top guards in the league
Ellis looks to be one of the top 2020 prospects in the City League next season. Averaging 11 points and 6 assists last year, Ellis has great playmaking abilities that is rare for such a young player. If he can develop a more threatening outside shot, he could easily see himself finishing on one of the All-DCL teams.