Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Preview

It’s the last week of November which could only mean one thing. We are less than a week away from the start of the 2017-18 regular season in Ohio. With November 30^th right around the corner, we will be previewing different conferences in the Greater Cincinnati area. In this edition we look at maybe the most exciting, from an action stand point, as any in the area, the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference.  

1. What will it take for Hughes to repeat?

From an offensive stand point this team will be able to score with anyone, in particular when DJ Brewton (#56 PHO C/O 2018) is eligible in January. But for a team without a lot of size, Big Red must defend and rebound if they hope to repeat in this tough conference. They also must get some type of production from there bench. With a starting five that is as good as it will get in SW Ohio, bench production will be a key factor if Hughes hopes to advance to Columbus in March.  

2. Who are the biggest challengers to Hughes?

In what has become one of the better rivalries in the city, the Taft Senators will again be Hughes toughest challenger for the conference crown. Last season Big Red took 2 of 3 from the Senators with Taft’s one win coming in their playoff match-up in March. Expect at the least two more high intensity match-ups from these two squads this season.  

3. Who are the dark horse teams?

When you have one of the best players in the city, you will have a chance to win every single night. And for the Woodward Bulldogs that is exactly the case. But while everyone talks about Terry Durham (#88 PHO C/O 2018) and how good he is, and he is that good, it is the return of point guard Kane Cooper (#180 PHO C/O 2018) that should really have Bulldog fans excited. With Cooper healthy 1^st year coach Jarelle Redden now has a point man that can get everyone involved who is also capable of knocking down perimeter shots. Even with the loss of two of there top scorers from last season, Woodward should still finish in the top 3 of the conference.  

4. Who will lead the league in scoring?

This league boost some of the better scorers in the city, so it was hard narrowing the field to just one player. But Woodward wing/forward Terry Durham is our pick to lead the league in scoring. He can score off the drive or post, showed a much- improved jump shot over the summer and just as importantly is one of the better offensive rebounders in Cincinnati. After averaging of 17ppg in 2016-17, expect that average to rise to over 20 this season.  

5. Who will lead the league in double-doubles?

While we see Woodward’s Durham as the leading candidate in this category as well, there a few other players in this conference that could also possible end up at the top of this list. First off is Hughes point guard Giovanni Santiago (#33 PHO C/O 2018) who is one of the better floor generals in the state. Not only he can he score the basketball (14.7ppg in 2016-17), but he also one of the better passers in the state as well (6.6apg in 2016-17). With him having the ball in his hands a lot and the pace Hughes plays at he could possibly average a double-double in points and assist and take the lead in double-doubles. He would be an awesome feat if accomplished. Next is Aiken senior football standout Hsjani Estee, who is one of the better athletes in the conference. Aiken will have much better ball movement and will play at a more efficient, faster pace than last year. And while Estee is not known for his offense (4.3ppg last season) he is an athlete that can run the floor and will crash the glass (10.5rpg, 3.6 offensive last season). If he can improve on finishing around the rim with his athleticism he could challenge for the league lead as well. Santiago’s senior teammate Shawn Hawkins could also have a say-so in this conversation as well. Hawkins missed the 2016 season with a knee injury, but is back and healthy. His ability to finish around the rim, get out and run in transition along with his rebounding could help in this matter. According to the CMAC website in 2015, in limited action Hawkins averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds per game. And the last young man who could contend for the most double-doubles is sophomore forward Nekhi Smith (#32 PHO C/O 2020). After averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds per game as a freshman, Smith will get many more opportunities with Shroder hit hard by transfers. Smith has the talent to rank high on this list.  

6. Who will win league player of the year?

When you have this many teams with this many talented players, even narrowing the field for finalist can be a difficult task. So difficult in fact that I am predicting Co-League Players of the Year, Gio Santiago & Terry Durham. Both players should put up big numbers for teams that will compete for the conference crown and should go far in the state tournament. And both players will also be contenders for Player of the Year in the city as well.  

7. Who are the league’s top breakout candidates?

The before mentioned Nekhi Smith from Shroder is the first candidate for top breakout candidate. The reason for him being on this list is that despite the ranking, many around the city are not familiar with the sophomore. Standing 6’5, Smith has the ability to play inside-outside and can really shoot the ball, with range extending out to the three. Woodward wing Dionte McBride is another name that you will want to watch this season. The junior spent much of last season as a role player who focused on the defensive end. That will change this season with Woodward losing so much to graduation. This young man is a capable jump shooter whose athleticism and ability to get to the rim fits well in Woodward’s system.  

8. Who made our league our pre-season all-league first team?

G- Giovanni Santiago, Hughes G- Demarco Bradley Jr., Taft F- Arian Smith, Hughes F- Terry Durham, Woodward F- Nekhi Smith, Shroder G- D.J. Brewton, Hughes G/W- Chris’seon Stringer, Taft  

9. Predicted order to finish?
10. Hughes
11. Taft
12. Woodward
13. Aiken, Shroder
14. Western Hills

  ***Stats provided by the CMAC website