The Scouting Report: Region 8 Dayton Teams
Photo Credit: Shelby Dermer After Thursday’s games at UD Arena, the field is set for the Division II regional matchups. Trotwood-Madison will face Cincinnati Aiken while Dayton Northridge will face Bishop Hartley. After seeing the games on Thursday we have…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Credit: Shelby Dermer
After Thursday’s games at UD Arena, the field is set for the Division II regional matchups. Trotwood-Madison will face Cincinnati Aiken while Dayton Northridge will face Bishop Hartley. After seeing the games on Thursday we have a pretty good understanding of the Southwest Ohio participants. Below are scouting reports on Northridge, Trotwood, and Aiken ahead of their Regional matchups this Thursday.
Northridge
Pros: Northridge possesses arguably one of the top underrated scorers in Southwest Ohio in senior Twon Hines (2019). The senior guard is an offensive playmaker that can score from anywhere on the floor. Hines has tremendous range and is not afraid to dribble drive and go up against double teams in the paint. The Polar Bears are loaded with speed. Running with 4 guards at times, the Polar Bears have great vertical and lateral speed. This allows the Polar Bears to play full court defensive pressure and create a ton of turnovers. Typically Northridge plays with 3 guards and 2 bigs and the majority of their key players are seniors.
Cons: Northridge struggles on the glass on both ends of the floor. Against Taft, they allowed 15 offensive rebounds in the 1st Half which is concerning as they go up against Hartley this week. When you look at this Northridge team, they lack height. Although Cameron Curington (2021) is listed at 6’6, he is not much of a threat on either ends of the floor. Finally, the offense can get stagnant at times. Most of the plays are run through and for Hines. When a team is able to slow him down, the offense cannot function at the same level.
Players to Watch:
#1 Twon Hines- Northridge’s top guy; high motor player with tremendous offensive skill
#2 Robbie Turner (2019)- Role player; used more for ball-handling and defense
#3 Charles Drewery (2019)- The Polar Bears top defensive player; able to guard perimeter and post
#4 Darryl Story Jr. (2020)- Another great backcourt option, Story has a nice 3PT shot
How to Beat Northridge:
Use the post. If you have bigs, look to feed as much as possible. If more guard oriented, play patient and wait for open shots. Defensively, limit their opportunities to get out in transition.
Trotwood-Madison
Pros: Trotwood is a very good defensive team that creates a ton of turnovers. Amari Davis (2019) is one of the better perimeter defenders while Justin Stephens (2019) is an elite rim protector and shot blocker. They are a lot like Northridge with the amount of speed, but the Rams have more collegiate prospects than the Polar Bears. Trotwood likes to play very fast and up tempo. While they are a great defensive team, Trotwood has a great offensive background, able to beat you from the perimeter and inside as well.
Cons: Trotwood truly is a great defensive team, but their back side rotation struggles. We watched them struggle against Pickerington Central at Flyin’ to the Hoop and again against Thurgood at the Regional. Trotwood runs a full court trap on made baskets. Their ball pressure is great, but the back side does not cover middle and as a result, uncontested layups are common. Although the starting lineup is great, the Rams do not have a ton of support off the bench. The 3 subs that played the most minutes Thursday were more role players and did not show me they were elite level guys.
Player to Watch:
Amari Davis (2019)- Difference maker on both ends of the floor; able to create plays offensively with his size
Sammy Anderson (2020)- Role guy; tough player on the defensive end
Carl Blanton (2020)- Bigger guard (6’3); gets in the paint with ease off the dribble
Justin Stephens (2019)- True inside presence; uses his strength to power through defenders in the paint
How to Beat Trotwood:
Look to attack against their pressure. Once you beat the trap, look to get the ball in the paint whether it be passing or dribble drive. If you can run up tempo against them, do it. There are very very few teams in Ohio that can run up tempo for 32 minutes against the Rams.
Aiken
Pros: The Falcons have shooters all over the floor. It seems everyone has the green light to shoot the ball for Aiken and they have size that can shoot as well. Defensively, they create serious chaos and pressure you hard. Creating turnovers is an area where they create mismatches against opponents.
Cons: When the game is slowed down, Aiken struggles. Alter did a great job in their loss in the first half of making the Falcons play half court instead of up tempo. This was one reason why the Falcons trailed at halftime in the game. Even though they have some height, Aiken struggles to prevent offensive rebounds.
Players to Watch:
#1 D’Arris Dean (2019)- Absolute offensive weapon; extremely athletic and possesses limitless range
#12 Jakada Stone (2021)- Patient offensive player for a sophomore; nice shooter
How to Beat Aiken:
Slow the game down. Once you can take away their ability to get out in transition, you take them out of their comfort zone. Protect the basketball as Aiken gets lots of their points off turnovers.