Week 5’s Top Five Games
Week 5 games aren’t being played until Thursday for the most part, so we decided to delay Games of the Week until today so it wouldn’t get lost in the Christmas shuffle. We hope you all enjoyed the holiday, but…
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Continue ReadingWeek 5 games aren’t being played until Thursday for the most part, so we decided to delay Games of the Week until today so it wouldn’t get lost in the Christmas shuffle. We hope you all enjoyed the holiday, but it’s time to get back to hooping!
Brush (6-0) v. Warrensville Heights (5-1) at Garfield Heights, Dec. 27 at 6PM
Both teams tout collegiate level talent in their backcourts and are riding winning streaks — Brush being undefeated and Warrensville having not lost since their opener against East Tech.
The individual matchups around the perimeter are awfully exciting with Fairleigh Dickinson signee Brandon Rush, a high-volume scorer with a smooth off the dribble game, going against future Wright State guard Andre Harris, a lengthy defensive terror. Then, at the point guard, Brush senior DJ Dial will take on a future four-year starter in Warrensville sophomore Ramelle Arnold.
The blind spot for Warrensville, though, is a center. We like Aundray Farmer, a 6’3” senior, as an undersized and athletic forward prospect who can switch on to guards. But, asking him to defend 6’9” junior center John Hugley might not fit into Farmer’s job description, which could mean double-teams and other creative schemes.
Other prospects: Elmore James IV (Brush), Antwone Woolfork (Brush), Corey Floyd (Brush),
Our pick: Brush
Reynoldsburg (5-2) v. Brunswick (6-0) at Thomas Worthington, Dec. 28 at 3:45PM
This game brings together two teams who could potentially be heading in opposite directions, which started in Week 4. Reynoldsburg lost to both Pickerington Central and Princeton, albeit by single digits both games, and their schedule remains hard for the next three games.
Brunswick, though, took out an undefeated Medina team on Friday before dismissing Berea-Midpark the night after. A weekend trip to Columbus for back-to-back games against Reynoldsburg and Thomas Worthington affords them another pre-New Year test. If they can escape their trip to Central Ohio undefeated, they’d not only be 8-0, Brunswick would also prove capable of matching length and athleticism on the wing.
Other prospects: Ben Fort (Rey.), Sahmi Willoughby (Rey.), Xavier Prince (Rey.), Sean Moore (Rey.), Josiah Mobley (Rey.), Cooper Davis (Rey.), Kyle Goessler (Bruns), Tre Massey (Bruns)
Our pick: Brunswick
Lakota East (5-1) v. Dublin Coffman (5-0) at Thomas Worthington, Dec. 28 at 5:30PM
Lakota East added a quality win against then-undefeated Oak Hills before Christmas on Dec. 21. It was a meaningful win, as the Hawks had dropped their lone other marquee matchup of the season. In the 42-41 win over Oak Hills, their frontcourt — Bash Wieland, Alex Mangold, Grant Spicer — combined for 32 points and 17 rebounds (the team totaled 23). While production from teammates would be nice, that upperclassmen trio that stands 6’4”, 6’6”, 6’3”, will be the key for them going forward.
This will be Coffman’s most worthy opponent to date before they enter the thick of their OCC schedule. They will look to match Lakota East’s physicality with athleticism and length on the win — expect a lot of defensive responsibility for 6’6” senior wing Derek Van Vlerah. The Rocks’ real mismatch, though, comes at the point guard with junior Dominiq Penn, who averages 25.4 points per game, according to 270 Hoops.
Other prospects: Nate Johnson (Lakota East), Luke Bartemes (Coffman), Will Hunter (Coffman), Keaton Turner (Coffman)
Our pick: Coffman
Benedictine (5-2) v. Mentor (5-0) at Garfield Heights, Dec. 29 at 7:45PM
The weekend before Christmas went a bit differently for Bene and Mentor, who both entered Friday undefeated. On one end, Bene dropped games to Hoban and Toledo St. Francis by 18 points combined. Conversely, Mentor tallied two blowout victories against Solon and Olentangy Orange, winning by an average of 19 points.
Mentor, once again, is scoring in the 80s and 90s routinely with their deep rotation and utilization of multi-sport athletes. This year it’s been 6’4” junior Chad Rogers, a baseball prospect committed to Penn State. Rogers has been scoring about 20 points consistently while sophomore point guard Luke Chicone has been close to matching those numbers.
Bene can match speed and athleticism on the wing with anyone, led by Bowling Green signee Davin Zeigler. Expect them to enter the game with a chip on their shoulder after dropping two in a row. They remain one of the top Division II State Championship contenders at the moment.
Other prospects: Mason Trubisky (Mentor), Kevin Bishop (Bene), Andy Barba (Bene), Jashun Cobb (Bene), Eric Buckner Jr. (Bene)
Our pick: Mentor
Richmond Heights (5-3) at Whitmer (5-0), Dec. 29 at 7:30PM
Although Richmond Heights will enter as considerable underdogs as a Division IV school, a game against Whitmer will still provide insight on both teams. Whitmer hasn’t played against a team like this that can matchup with their length in the starting lineup. Richmond Heights is athletic, long, and they switch everything defensively. Meanwhile, this is Whitmer’s first of two games against teams outside of Northwest Ohio — they go to St. Edward for a game on Feb. 16.
Other prospects: Curtis Houston (RH), Gbolahan Adio (RH), Anthony Maxie (RH), Jevontae Jones (RH), Jamar Talbert (RH), Eddie Colbert (Whitmer), Trey Syroka (Whitmer), Leon Hughes (Whitmer), Areon Evans (Whitmer), Maurice Purley (Whitmer)
Our pick: Whitmer