Week Two’s Top Five Games (Dec. 3-9)
It’s Monday, so let’s get right into it: Lakewood (0-0) at St. Edward (0-0), Dec. 1 at 7PM Once again, the season will start with a cross-town showdown in Lakewood, a nearby suburb of Cleveland that is home to…
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Continue ReadingIt’s Monday, so let’s get right into it:
Lakewood (0-0) at St. Edward (0-0), Dec. 1 at 7PM
Once again, the season will start with a cross-town showdown in Lakewood, a nearby suburb of Cleveland that is home to two of the most formidable Division I teams in Ohio. In 2017-18, losses to St. Edward bookended Lakewood’s 22-3 season. The revenge factor should definitely create tension in the game tonight. But, it’s not just an intangible detail that gives the Rangers hope, they also have one of the top frontcourts in Ohio in Tim Smith, Zion Kolodynski-Darby, and Tommy Sala. Meanwhile, St. Edward boasts Division I talent in the backcourt. Even though it’s the first game of the season for both, there should be a playoff atmosphere in Lakewood tonight.
Other prospects: Grant Huffman (Eds), Devontae Blanton (Eds), Montorie Foster (Eds), Demetrius Terry (Eds), Lawson Nash (Eds)
Our pick: St. Edward
Pickerington Central (1-0) at Pickerington North (1-0), Dec. 7 at 7:30PM
Jack Sawyer, a 6’5” sophomore forward, looked like he was ready to put any residual talks of last year’s shocking postseason loss to bed in their opening game blowout over VASJ. Coming into the game, VASJ appeared to be a formidable opponent partially because of their athletic frontcourt. Then, Sawyer toyed with them on his way to 31 points and eight rebounds. Once again, the Panthers run into an opponent who appears to have the bodies to neutralize Sawyer, but we’ve given up all thought that anyone is doing that this season. However, Pick Central’s perimeter defense and collection of shot-creators poses a potent strength of their own. Their size and defensive advantage on the perimeter should be enough to frustrate Pick North’s inexperienced backcourt and steal the game.
Other prospects: Javohn Garcia (PC), Coleton Landis (PC), Sam Towns (PC), JaJuan “Jay” Rodgers (PC), Jaidon Lipscomb (PC), Jalen Cromwell (PC), Tahleik Walker (PC), Conner Maciag (PC), Garner Wallace (PC), Elhadji Thiam (PC), Hunter Shedenhelm (PN), Chris Scott (PN), Casey George (PN), Idris Lawrence (PN), Jerry Saunders (PN)
Our Pickerington: Central
Taft (1-0) at Deer Park (1-0), Dec. 7 at 9PM
In our estimation, this is a matchup of two future Regional Champions. Taft, of Division II, opened up their season with a close win over Olentangy Liberty on Saturday in Columbus. Shroder transfer Nekhi Smith led them past a formidable foe with a team-high 23 points and five rebounds, per Zach Fleer of 270 Hoops. Deer Park, reigning Division III State Champions, stomped on Summit Country Day to start the year.
When they get together, expect a game played at a breakneck speed. Their bigs should pretty much cancel each other out. But, Taft will need to slow down Mark Wise and Steven Gentry Jr. in order to win, something it seems like nobody has been able to accomplish in two years. However, nothing lasts forever.
Other prospects: DeMarco Bradley Jr. (Taft), Chris’seon Stringer (Taft), Muhammed Metz (Taft), Ibrahima Athie (DP), Joseph Hocker (DP)
Our pick: Taft
Game of the week: St. Vincent-St. Mary (1-0) at Moeller (1-0), Dec. 8 at 5PM
Forget game of the week, this is the game of the freaking year — at least that’s the way it looks right now. It’s a matchup of reigning State Champions. But now, with STVM’s move up to Division I for Competitive Balance, it could be a preview of this year’s championship game.
Both teams are super well-coached and even bring collegiate level talent off their deep benches. Personnel wise, finding a significant edge in any area of the game is difficult. But let’s split hairs: Moeller is bigger and will likely try to muck the game up on either end of the floor. STVM, on the other hand, has a better shooting team, especially with an injured Jake Younkin for Moe. The Irish are also a bit lengthier with more speed — so they should look to quicken the pace and get this game into the high-60s or 70s.
The most important piece of this game, though, could be the timing of it. STVM only lost one major contributor from last season and will come into the game having already played in Illinois against a Chicago power, Simeon, and against Spire at the Canton Fieldhouse. For Moeller, this is the first real test for a team with three starters who have limited varsity experience.
Other prospects: Lunden McDay (STVM), Chris Painter (STVM), Darrius Cone (STVM), Keyshawn Jones (STVM), Isaiah Ingol (STVM), Marcus Johnson (STVM), Seth Wilson (STVM), Malaki Branham (STVM), Miles “Deuce” McBride (Moe), Alec Pfriem (Moe), Michael Shipp (Moe), Max Land (Moe), Brad Colbert (Moe), Blake Lloyd (Moe), Logan Duncomb (Moe), William McCracken (Moe), Alex Williams (Moe)
Our pick: St. Vincent-St. Mary
Solon (0-1) at Benedictine (0-0), Dec. 8 at 7PM
Solon may have stumbled out of the gates, losing to Cleveland Central Catholic by seven on Saturday. But, we’ll need to see them take a few more lumps before not being very excited about a game against Benedictine, one of the state’s most talented teams in Division II. For starters, the dynamic Bowling Green signee Davin Zeigler will have to deal with Trent Williams, an elite perimeter defender. Then, you consider the shot-making ability both teams can put on the floor, and you’re thinking this game could just be up and down bucket after bucket for an hour and a half. Sign us up.
Other prospects: Mike Bekelja (Solon), David Marbury (Solon), Nick Close (Solon), Kevin Bishop (Bene), Andy Barba (Bene), Jashun Cobb (Bene), Eric Buckner Jr. (Bene)
Our pick: Benedictine