Cincinnati Previews and Predictions: Week Six
Holiday break is over, teams are home from playing in holiday tournaments in the southern states and it is finally back to a full schedule locally in the Cincinnati area. This is an interesting time of year were transfer who…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHoliday break is over, teams are home from playing in holiday tournaments in the southern states and it is finally back to a full schedule locally in the Cincinnati area. This is an interesting time of year were transfer who had to sit out the first 11 games are becoming eligible and teams are preparing for the last month and a half of the season. Here is a preview of some of the better games from Week 6 of the prep season.
#7 Lakota East (2-2) at #4 Mason (5-1), Tuesday 7:30pm: A match-up of ranked Division I teams in Cincinnati along with a key GMC conference game. Both teams come into the game with 2-1 conference records as both try to keep pace with Oak Hills. Mason was without leading scorer Eddie Puisis in their 3 point win over Wilmington on 12/28, but got 19 points from junior Noah Pedelty in the victory. Pedelty provides a major scoring punch off the bench for the Comets and look for him to step-up again if Puisis is not available.
For Lakota East, it all starts with junior Jarret Cox one of the top scorers in the tri-state. Cox was averaging over 21ppg over the first four games and can score in a variety of ways. Cox has the ability to finish at the rim with a good knack for using the glass while also displaying a smooth stroke from behind the arc. Mason must contain him or it will be a long night for the Comets.
Prediction: Mason
Deer Park (2-2) at #7 Madeira (3-4), Tuesday 7:30pm: Another big conference match-up this time in the Cincinnati Hills League. Deer Park brings with it one of the most underrated players in the city in c/o ’18 wing Jalen Rose, who is averaging close to 22ppg. Rose does a good job of playing to his strengths offensively which is driving to the rim and finishing on the break. So far this year the 6’4 Rose has shot at least 8 free throws in every game this season. And he has some help in freshman guard Mark Wise, one of the top freshman in the city and who was one rebound shy of a triple double in the Wildcats win over Shroder on 12/20/16.
Madeira brings with them one of the best big men in the area in junior center Jack Cravaack. Cravaack, who also holds an offer from among others Wake Forest in football, uses his strength and high motor to dominate the paint to the tune of a 17ppg/8rpg average. But this is a game where Cravaack must have some help in order for the Mustangs to pull out the victory
Prediction: Deer Park
#4 Shroder (6-2) at #3 Taft (6-1), Friday 7:30pm: With a win over Shroder, the number two ranked D-II in the city will have a sole possession of second place in the competitive CMAC. The Senators have won two straight since suffering their only loss of the season to Hughes and are looking to keep their conference championship hopes alive.
Shroder, the number four team in D-III, has also won 2 straight since suffering a two game losing streak in mid-December. Steve Stewart has averaged 13ppg and 6rpg over the last two after struggling to the tune of 3-12 from the floor against Woodward. With the Senators holding a size advantage over the Jaguars, he will be key to the Jaguars success with his ability to rebound from the guard position.
Prediction: Taft
#2 La Salle (6-1) at #2 Roger Bacon (8-1), Saturday 7:30pm: This is the best game of the weekend in my eyes, the number two ranked team D-I (La Salle) and the number two ranked team in D-III (Roger Bacon) and old conference rivals. This is a good measuring stick game for both teams as the seasons stretch drive begins. This will be La Salle first game in the area in almost two week after winning four games in a row out of state. CJ Fleming and Tre Crigler will both need to have big nights against one of the more talented D-III teams in the state if they plan on walking out of Roger Bacon with the W.
For Bacon keep an eye on senior G Craig McGee who is averaging 11ppg and close to 5 assist per game. McGee does a good job of giving his teammates the ball in the correct spot while also picking and choosing when to be aggressive on offense and when to take his foot off the pedal. McGee along with the Johnson boys, James and Justin, help make Roger Bacon one of the better teams in the area regardless of Division.
Prediction: La Salle