Cincinnati Basketball Diaries: Transfers and Conference
Some very, very big transfer news that will could change some conference races and city rankings along with conference re-alignment news to talk about in the latest entry to Cincinnati Basketball Diaries.
Harding Headed Back to Newport
A story first reported by Corey Albertson of Triple Double Prospects on November 7, forward Tahj Harding is headed back to Newport (KY) after his transfer to Princeton was disallowed by the OHSAA. This decision will have a ripple effect on both sides of the river as Harding was looked at as a potential all-conference/city type player for the Vikings. His departure leaves a size and scoring void for Coach Steve Wright while Tahj’s arrival back to Newport gives them one of the best 1-2 punches in the 9th region alongside 2019 Prep Hoops Kentucky Top 35 prospect G Donnie Miller.
Depth a Concern for the Defending D-III State Champs
2020 F-C Will Burns was seen as a very, very important piece of the puzzle for Deer Park if they had visions of repeating as state champs. But Burns will not be a part of that journey as he has transferred to Batavia a source close to the program confirmed via text last week. His size (6’6), ball-skills and versatility will be sorely missed by a Wildcats replacing three talented seniors from last year’s team. But in saying all of that I cannot wait for his matchup with Clermont Northeastern forward Skyler Schmidt (2021 PHO #27) on December 28th at CNE.
Another high profile talent headed to Prep
At the end of last season five high-profile seniors out of Cincinnati, all ranked in the Top 60 by PHO, made the decision to go to prep school to try and raise their profiles. And already this season another big time talent has made the same decision as Winton Woods guard Greg Tribble, the 9th ranked player in the 2019 class, announced his decision to transfer to Huntington Prep in West Virginia on Twitter Sunday. This is a big blow for the Warriors, who were seen by many in the area as a Top 5 team in the city. But there is still plenty of talent in the cupboard for Coach Tate, but is it enough to make a run for Columbus come March?
Withrow Coming Home
After spending the past five seasons in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, the Tigers will be back home in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference starting with the 2020-21 school year. The Tigers were one of the original members of the CMAC upon its formation in 2007 and were a staple in several other versions of the same conference previously. Including Withrow the conference is now 10 members strong, with only Walnut Hills (ECC) and Clark Montessori (MVC) the only CPS programs out of the mix. For now that is.