Week 3’s Top Five Games (Dec. 10-16)
Week 3’s games coincidentally feature one battle from each major metropolitan area of the state — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Dayton. We won’t waste too much time with an intro, but it’s worth noting that we’re getting to the…
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Continue ReadingWeek 3’s games coincidentally feature one battle from each major metropolitan area of the state — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Dayton.
We won’t waste too much time with an intro, but it’s worth noting that we’re getting to the point where preseason expectations don’t mean much at all. Most teams, have played two or three games, including at least one against a quality opponent.
Here we go:
Centerville (2-1) at Trotwood (1-0), Dec. 11 at 7:30PM
Trotwood played their first game just this past Friday, but they started in midseason form. The Rams dropped an aggressive 133 points on West Carrollton. So, if there were any questions about the reining Division II State Runner-Up missing a beat without 2018 graduate Myles Belyeu, they did their best to clear things up early.
The Rams, though, will be confronted by a contrast of style in a more methodical Centerville Elks team, who has played their first three games in the 50s. Centerville bolsters experience around the perimeter and a 6’9” defensive anchor, junior Mo Njie who averages 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Although Centerville surely comes in as underdogs, they can challenge Trotwood if they dictate tempo and senior guards Kaleb Mitchell, Ryan Marchal, Matt Pearce, and Jason Sneed give them hope to do so.
Unmentioned Prospects: Amari Davis (Trotwood), Justin Stephens (Trotwood), Carl Blanton (Trotwood), Sammy Anderson (Trotwood), Rich Rolf (Centerville)
Our pick: Trotwood
Walnut Ridge (3-0) at Columbus South (1-0), Dec. 11 at 7PM
South has been patiently waiting for this Columbus City League South Division matchup since their eye-opening 65-50 win over Bishop Hartley on Dec. 1. Meanwhile, Walnut Ridge has taken care of Campbell County (KY), Bishop Watterson, and Olentangy Orange behind junior VonCameron Davis‘s 35.7 PPG, per 270 Hoops.
Davis is a powerful 6’5” wing/forward with tremendous ball skills — skills he likes to use to create looks at the rim. Kaveon Ross, another 6’5” junior forward, also stands tall for the Scots inside. South, however, will have to matchup with athleticism, because they don’t have the bodies to do so physically. With that being said, expect Marcus Johnson‘s defensive job on Davis to be a crucial piece of the plot here.
Unmentioned prospects: Qian Magwood (WR), Treohn Watkins (South), Taquan Simington (South), Trevell Adams (South)
Our pick: South
Game of the Week: Whitmer (2-0) at Toledo St. Francis (3-0), Dec. 14 at 7:30PM
Senior forwards Eddie Colbert (Whitmer) and Jackie Harris (St. Francis) have been on an absolute tear in the early season. Colbert, who has offers from Northwood and Lourdes, is averaging 30.0 PPG in the early going, including a 39-point game against Rogers. On the other end, Harris, who recently decommitted from Cedarville, is putting up 24.3 a game and at least two double-doubles. These two unsigned prospects have both expanded their shooting range considerably since last season.
But, this game goes beyond the bigs. There will be plenty of athleticism on the wings and a compelling matchup at point guard, too. This game could hinge on the PGs as SFS’s Jakiel Wells tries to use his quick hands to cause turnovers against Whitmer playmaker Trey Syroka.
Even though it’s a new year, don’t expect either team to be caught off-guard. These two played three times last season — Whitmer winning two of them, including 40-36 in the District Semifinal — and nine of ten starters return collectively.
Unmentioned prospects: Leon Hughes (Whitmer), Areon Evans (Whitmer), Jamiya Neal (SFS), Zion Justice (SFS), Grant Sonnenberg (SFS)
Our pick: St. Francis
Deer Park (3-1) at Wyoming (0-0), Dec. 14 at 7:30PM
Yet another conference matchup, this one in the Cincinnati Hills League. We expect Deer Park and Wyoming to fight for league supremacy this season, so this one will give someone an early edge. Building on the storyline, DP already rebounded from their first loss to Taft, the first in 31 games, by beating Reading the following night. But, this will be their opportunity to regain championship swagger if they can get the job done on a big stage.
Although Wyoming is coming off a below-average season by their standard, they have the personnel to do damage in 2018-19. It starts with their point guard, Findlay signee Joey Edmonds. Then, the development of wing Isaiah Walker and forward Evan Prater gives them three players capable of playing Division I or high-level Division II college basketball. It’s also worth noting that their top three is comparable to Taft’s, a team who picked apart Deer Park’s trap last weekend.
Unmentioned prospects: Mark Wise (DP), Steven Gentry Jr. (DP), Ibrahima Athie (DP)
Our pick: Deer Park
St. Vincent-St. Mary (1-2) at Cleveland Central Catholic (3-0), Dec. 15 at 7PM
Moment of truth. This will be the Irish’s first game since being dominated in Cincinnati by Moeller. Meanwhile, after a hot start, this will be CCC’s second challenge of the weekend, the first coming just 24 hours before at 3-0 Benedictine. In different ways, both teams’ fortitude will be tested.
Personnel wise, CCC’s frontcourt of 6’8” junior DeShaun Nettles and 6’3” senior Trevon Wells could present a problem for the visitors. The Ironmen have also benefitted from the strong play of Ignatius transfer Tevin Jackson at the point guard, who will battle with powerful sophomore Seth Wilson. Expect STVM seniors — especially starters Lunden McDay, Chris Painter, and Darrius Cone — to play like they have something to prove after dropping both their games in Week 2. In all honesty, there’s reason for concern if they don’t play with a fire!
Unmentioned prospects: Keyshawn Jones (STVM), Isaiah Ingol (STVM), Marcus Johnson (STVM), Malaki Branham (STVM)
Our pick: STVM