Recap of Week Two’s Top Five Games
Just one of Week Two’s Top Five Games was deciding by single digits, as four teams used highly-anticipated early season matchups to make a statement.
To recap: St. Edward and Pickerington Central earned bragging rights in their respective cities, Taft snapped the longest winning streak in Ohio basketball, Moeller Moeller’d, and Benedictine outlasted Solon in overtime.
Also, in way less important news, we’re now 9-1 on our picks through two weeks.
For the full breakdown of thee five games, keep on scrolling!
Monday, Dec. 3: St. Edward (79) over Lakewood (51)
St. Edward kicked off their season in the same way they did 2017-18: a convincing win over Lakewood. Their collection of perimeter talent out-lasted Lakewood’s size in the cross-town battle. Devontae Blanton led the way with 18 points, while Demetrius Terry (16), Grant Huffman (15), and Montorie Foster (10) all scored in double figures too, per Cleveland.com.
Eds also beat Toledo St. John’s at home this week by a score of 69-51. They’re 2-0.
Friday, Dec. 7: Pickerington Central (80) over Pickerington North (67)
Javohn Garcia pushed Pickerington Central past North in a rivalry game victory. The senior point guard scored 28 points, per 270 Hoops, and the Tigers are now 3-0 entering week three.
Senior forwards Sam Towns and Coleton Landis chipped in 13 points a piece for Pickerington Central. Hunter Shedenhelm and Jack Sawyer combined for 40 points for the Panthers.
Central will host North for a rematch on Friday Jan. 18.
Friday, Dec. 7: Taft (78) over Deer Park (67)
Taft looked terrific snapping Deer Park’s 30-game winning streak at the Play By Play Classic. They pulled away in the second half after figuring out Deer Park’s full-court trap and forcing their guards into poor shots.
A pair of versatile forwards — Chris’seon Stringer and Nekhi Smith — dominated the game with athleticism and an ability to score off the bounce. Together, they combined for 34 points (including a nasty dunk by Stringer) and 10 rebounds. Deer Park’s Ibrahima Athie led the team with 20 points.
Taft would go on to beat Dayton Dunbar the next night to move to 3-0.
Saturday, Dec. 8: Moeller (99) over St. Vincent-St. Mary (62)
Moeller impressed in a convincing win over St. Vincent-St. Mary, the reigning Division II State Champions. A night after blitzing Hughes, it was more of the same for Moeller, who shot 65.5 percent from the field and 64.7 percent from 3-point land on Saturday. With that 99-point performance, they’re averaging 91.0 PPG in their 3-0 start.
Bellarmine signee Alec Pfriem kept up his hot start, totaling 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Meanwhile, West Virginia pledge Miles “Deuce” McBride added 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
On the other side, Seth Wilson (14), Lunden McDay (11), and Chris Painter (11) were all in double-digit scoring figures. The Irish are off to a 1-2 start with the other loss coming Monday against Spire. They have another tough one on the docket Saturday at Cleveland Central Catholic.
Saturday, Dec. 8: Benedictine (82) over Solon (79)
Benedictine won a thriller in overtime to move to 3-0. Bowling Green signee Davin Zeigler led the way with 29 points while Andy Barba scored 18 points, Jashun Cobb 14. But it was Rory Kilbane’s six drawn charges and bucket in the final minute that gave Benedictine an edge, according to Matt Goul of Cleveland.com. The Bengals are now 3-0, including another quality win over Richmond Heights the night before.
Meanwhile, three games in, Solon now has as many losses as they did all of last season when they finished as runner-up in Division I. The 1-2 Comets have a back-to-back this coming week starting Thursday against Euclid before playing St. Ignatius Friday.