Senior Standouts and Playoff Forecast: Wauseon at Genoa
Genoa emerged, 43-30, in a Tuesday night matchup of two AP Poll top five teams. The Comets stand 20-0 after fending off a late comeback effort from Wauseon, who rank no. 5 in Division II in the final state poll.…
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Continue ReadingGenoa emerged, 43-30, in a Tuesday night matchup of two AP Poll top five teams. The Comets stand 20-0 after fending off a late comeback effort from Wauseon, who rank no. 5 in Division II in the final state poll.
You always want to win, but this late-season non-conference game can be remembered as a tune-up game for both teams. They both enter the tournament next week — along with the majority of Ohio — and Tuesday gave us an idea of either side’s playoff chances.
Beginning with Genoa, the no. 1 seed in the Division III Toledo District, they have a favorable road to a district final. Evergreen has a couple wings who can score the rock, but expect Genoa to face their first true roadblock on March 9 against Cardinal Stritch, a team they lost to by six points in a district semifinal last year.
Stritch likes to attack the basket, which plays into Genoa’s hands. Genoa brings two shot-blockers to the table and seem especially comfortable filtering straight-line-drives into senior 6’5” center Drew Bench, an elite athlete. Although we expect Genoa to play zone in that game, the one-on-one matchup of Jake Plantz and Stritch’s Joey Holifield could decide that game, along with which team knocks down the most outside shots.
Wauseon, on the other hand, is the no. 2 seed in Division II Ada. Their road to a district final will be much tougher as they can expect a tough matchup with Defiance or Wapakoneta before seeing no. 1 seeded Lima Shawnee.
Despite the loss to Genoa, we expect Wauseon to advance to the Regional tournament and face Cleveland Central Catholic at Bowling Green State Univ. in the semis. We really liked their team defense last night — both scheme and execution — and we don’t think any team in the Ada District has a singular talent like Plantz, which is what it will take.
Genoa and Wauseon will face mini-rebuilds after this class of 2019 finishes their career. Four players in particular proved to be the rock of these programs in last night’s thriller.
Jake Plantz (2019), 6’3” G, Genoa
stats: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
The Lake Erie signee is a downhill wing whose combination of skill and power was a problem for Wauseon’s wings. Plantz’s patented spin move was effective, along with simply overpowering kids on his takes. He also forced tough shots on the other end in one-on-one defensive situations. Instinctual help-side defender, which is where the blocked shots mostly came from. Fights through screens.
Plantz will be a wing guard in college. We were impressed with his decision-making, vision, and ability to control pace as a primary ball-handler, though. Possesses leadership qualities.
Drew Bench (2019), 6’5” F/C, Genoa
stats: 14 points, 7 rebounds
Bench, a Bowling Green football commit, allows Genoa’s perimeter defenders to pressure ball-handlers. His shot-blocking and defensive presence is an insurance policy for their team. Wauseon shaded two defenders to deny post entries — for good reason, too, as Bench was money when he caught the ball deep. Sparked the crowd with two very athletic dunks. Confidently hit a few face-up jumpers, including one 3-pointer.
Levi Seiler (2019), 6’4” W, Wauseon
stats: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Seiler is a big wing that will likely defend both forward spots at the next level. Quick first step for a kid of his size and showed an ability to make tough shots from the second level, even those that appeared off-balanced. Rebounds well in traffic and showed toughness in the paint. The unsigned senior is a smart ball-player who executed every time in the half-court. Good outside shooter.
Trent Armstrong (2019), 6’0” PG, Wauseon
stats: 8 points, 7 rebounds
Armstrong plays very hard and showcased some athleticism around the rim as both a rebounder and shot-blocker. He uses the pump fake to get past the first line of defense, even though he struggled to finish against the much larger Bench.