Cincinnati Hills League Preview Pt. 2
- Who will lead the league in double-doubles?
There are three players in this conference who will have a strong chance to finish first in this category. First is Deer Park junior wing/forward Ibrahima Athie, who came within an eyelash of averaging a double-double (12.3ppg, 9.7rpg) in 2016-17. But Athie might see a dip in his numbers this season with the influx of talent in Wildcat country. Then you have Purdue Football commit and Madeira F/C Jack Cravaack, who has a motor and is as strong as they come in the paint. Coming off a season where he averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds, he could also be a player who leads the league as well.
But the player I feel that will lead the league in double-doubles is Reading forward and newcomer to the league Bryce Hunt. A young man that also plays with a high motor, Hunt has the size (6’7), athleticism and wants to grab every shot that comes off the rim. What I like even more about Bryce is that he plays with a little nasty as well.
- Who will win league player of the year?
There is guaranteed to be a different winner of this award for the first time since 2014 with former Wyoming standout Lonnie Grayson now playing at West Point. And with the amount of talent in the conference this season, there are no shortage of candidates for this distinction. But in the end only one player can claim this award, and that player will be Reading senior Bryce Hunt. He can play with his back to the basket and facing up, competes on both ends and his team will challenge for a top 3 finish in the conference.
- Who are the league’s top breakout candidates?
After spending last season with Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, expect senior guard Damani McEntire to be a major factor for Deer Park this season. McEntire uses explosive athleticism with crafty ball-handling ability to score the basketball. This strong-bodied young man can get 15-20 points on any given night.
- Who made our preseason all-league first team?
G- Joey Edmonds, Wyoming
G- Mark Wise, Deer Park
G/W- Colin Shaw, Indian Hill
F- Jack Cravaack, Madeira
F- Bryce Hunt, Reading
G- Damani McEntire, Deer Park
F- Evan Prater, Wyoming
Predicted order to finish
- Deer Park
- Wyoming
- Indian Hill
- Reading
- Madeira
- Mariemont
- Taylor
- Finneytown