What We Learned at “The Preview”
Saturday’s 6TH Annual Cincinnati Boys High School Basketball Preview at Woodward showed that the present, and future, of prep basketball in the ‘Nati is alive and well. With 11 games and a middle-school all-star game on the menu, there was plenty of news and notes to touch on. Prep Hoops was there for the afternoon session, so let us get right to it.
Remember the Name Anthony Felder
According to the CMAC website Mr. Felder averaged 2 points and 4 rebounds a game as a sophomore. But after watching this young man play against DOHN, expect those averages to rise exponentially. In what ended being an entertaining matchup, Felder showed that he will be a player that will deserve recognition as the season goes on. In what ended up as somewhat of a duel with South Carolina St. recruit Omari-Peek Green, the junior showed that with his skill set he can affect the game in multiple ways. Knocking down perimeter shots, attacking the rim with strength and aggression and defending the paint and on the perimeter were all traits Anthony showed. And at 6’4 he has the type of build next-level programs would love to get a hold of.
Mt. Healthy a Different Team
Last season was rough for the Owls, finishing 9-14 in the SWOC even with a 7-5 conference record. But if what they showed Saturday is any indication, they will improve greatly on that record. In their matchup with Gamble, Mt. Healthy moved the ball well and played at a much faster pace than in previous seasons. 2020 F Brandon Lanier was a hog in the paint, particularly on the offensive boards, and even dropped in a couple of dimes from the post and high post. 2019 G Chris Simmons Jr. along with 2022 G Colin Tolbert also had strong showings for Coach Carmichael squad. If they can get any positive contributions from players 6-10, they can claim the conference crown for the 1st time since at least 2013.
Major Injury News for Walnut Hills
G/W Ed Abernathy, who was seen as a major piece to the puzzle for Coach Hill, went down with a right knee injury in the 2nd period of their matchup with Colerain. His knee appeared to buckle as he was trying to dribble out of a double-team in from of the Walnut bench. Abernathy was already wearing a brace on that knee, so let’s hope the injury is not as serious as it looked.
- Spoke with 2020 Gamble guard Kaden Warner (PHO #45), he states that he will have to sit out until January under the old OHSAA rules. Warner transferred about a month before the rule change went into effect.