Week Ten Previews and Predictions
We starting to get down to the home stretch of the regular season here in Ohio. And with plenty of league races still but in the air, some games will have a “playoff feel”. And after a 2-2 week in the picks last week, I need a strong week to make sure my ship isn’t starting to slowly sink. Here are my Previews and Predictions for week nine.
Last Week: 2-2
Season: 19-8
McNicholas (15-1, 6-1) at LaSalle (9-8, 1-2), Tuesday 7:30pm: A very good non-conference (depending on how you look at it) matchup for this late in the season. This game will be about two of the more talented, unsigned seniors in Cincinnati in LaSalle’s Riley Haubner (20.7ppg, 1st GCL-South) against McNick’s Ryan Reidy (17.4ppg, 2nd GCL Co-Ed, PHO #178). Expect a tight, defensive battle in this one and do not be surprised if it comes down to the last possession.
Prediction: LaSalle
Deer Park (15-0, 9-0) at Wyoming (12-4, 6-3), Tuesday 7:30pm: The third ranked D-III team in the newest AP Poll, the question now is rather the Wildcats can finish the regular season undefeated. But conference foe Wyoming is too willing to be the team to give Deer Park there first loss. And if you follow both programs on social media, you can see that this is developing into a good, or nasty depending on how you look at it, rivalry.
Prediction: Deer Park
Oak Hills (12-4, 8-2) at Princeton (12-3, 9-0), Friday 7:30pm: Time is running out for the Highlanders if they hope to catch the Vikings for the conference crown. And with Princeton already 1-0 against Coach Mike Price squad this season, this is a must win for Oak Hills. But grabbing a win at Princeton is a tough task for any team, in particular with the way 2018 G Darweshi Hunter (PHO #74) has played this season. While Darius Bazley has been the talk of the team, Hunter and his 17.3ppg can not be overlooked.
Prediction: Princeton
Hughes (14-2, 6-1) at Taft (11-5, 6-1), Friday 7:30pm: Game of the year in the CMAC and possibly in the city as well. The winner of this game will have sole possession of 1st place with less than a month to go in the regular season. Expect a lot of points and big- time players making big time plays in this one. The team whose bench plays the best will most likely walk away the victor.
Prediction: Hughes
Summit Country Day (12-1, 9-0) at North College Hill (14-2, 9-2), Friday 7:30pm: A re-match of a December contest in which Summit came from behind to win 62-54. NCH still has a chance at the conference crown, but a loss tonight all but dashes those chances. It’s Hall of Fame weekend for the Trojans, so expect the gym to be rocking.
Prediction: North College Hill