It’s Preview Day in Cincinnati
It’s Thanksgiving weekend, which means it’s time for the Cincinnati High School Boys Basketball Preview. All the action goes down Saturday at 3pm from Woodward High School, with 10 quality match-ups and a middle school all-star game to wet your whistle until the season begins November 29th. Here is a quick rundown of each scheduled matchup to get you ready.
Riverview vs. Finneytown- Finneytown is coming into the season without there all-conference performer from last season Cameron Harris who transferred to North College Hill. It will be interesting to see how a team who has won 8 games combined the last two seasons can recover from such a blow. They will be facing a Hawks program who is entering there first season in the deep and talented CMAC.
Shroder vs. DOHN- Shroder is another program that has been hit hard by transfers the past few years, including the transfer of 2020 PHO #17 Nekhi Smith to conference rival Taft. So, expect Coach Will Johnson to have one of the younger teams in one of the cities tougher conferences.
Gamble vs. Mt. Healthy- Both teams are contenders in their respective conferences this season, so this should be a very quality matchup. And watch out for the Michael McCants (Gamble)/Brandon Lanier (Mt. Healthy) matchup in the paint. These are two of the stronger young men in the city, who both happen to be in the class of 2020.
Summit vs. Dayton Stivers- For many prep fans in Cincy it will be their first time seeing Stivers guard Trevon Ellis (2020 PHO #43). Ellis combines size (6’3), craftiness and a high IQ to get the job done. While Stivers has one of the best in Southwest Ohio, Summit is replacing one from last season in G Xavier Johnson (Ohio St. Football). Who will step-up to be the man for the Silver Knights this season?
Middle School All-Star Game- While we don’t know much about the junior high scene in Cincy, we do know that Oyler 8th grader Rayvon Griffith is the real deal. Don’t believe me, just Google his name.
Walnut Hills vs. Colerain- You will enjoy this matchup between two of the most underrated senior guards in the city, Greg Phelia (Walnut) and Rodney Wiley (PHO #127, Colerain). Wiley gets it done with speed and quickness while Phelia is very crafty with slick ball-handling skills. This should be a very good matchup.
Western Hills vs. Lakota West- Two of the biggest coaching names in Cincinnati meet up trying to bring back two proud programs. Mark Mitchell (West High) and Jim Leon (Lakota West) both bring winning (and championship) pedigree to both schools, something neither has experienced in sometime. Also watch for West High 2020 guard Julian Newman, he can flat out shoot the basketball.
Aiken vs. Purcell- Coach Kerr and his Purcell squad are a team that could make the trip to Columbus the end of March in the D-III bracket. With four seniors and a junior ranked by Prep Hoops Ohio, they are among the most talented teams in Cincinnati. But the Falcons have plenty of talent as well and could be in the fight for the CMAC title this season. The Tremaine “Noodles” Smith (2019 PHO #91)/AJ Garrett (2019 PHO #80) could turn into a nice matchup.
Hughes vs. Deer Park- This is the citywide debut of 2022 G Paul McMillan IV, one of the most talked about freshman to play in Cincinnati in a long time. He will team with 2021 G Cameron McKenzie to form one of the better underclassmen tandems in the state of Ohio. And for the defending D-III champion Wildcats its Mark Wise (PHO #16 2020) team with the graduation of two of there top scorers. Even with those players Deer Park still has the talent to make a run to Columbus.
Princeton vs. Woodward- Coach Steve Wright is replacing his whole starting five from last season, but luckily, he has one of the more talented 2020 classes in the city. Expect transfers DeAirius Barker (NCH) and Micah Thomas (Clark Montessori), both 2020 players, to play major roles for the Vikings this season.