Previews and Predictions: Week Ten

<p>We are getting down to the wire in the regular season, and teams are starting to play with a greater sense of urgency as the importance of the games ramp up. With several close conference/league races around Cincinnati and post season seeding’s at stake, expect to see the intensity step up another notch. Here are the Previews and Predictions for Week 10.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>West Clermont (12-4, 8-2) vs. #5 Hughes (13-2, 7-1), Tuesday 7:30pm- </strong>This will be a fun matchup between one of the best D-II teams in Ohio against one of the more underrated D-I programs in Cincinnati. The underclassmen tandem of <strong>Paul McMillan IV (2022) and Cameron McKenzie (2021)</strong> for Hughes combine to average 39ppg and are quickly becoming one of the best 1-2 punches in the city, regardless of class. But the most important player for Big Red in this game will be 6’9 senior <strong>C Kenny Jackson, </strong>who must contend with <strong>2020 top 40 player Jackson Ames. </strong>Jackson’s ability to stay on the court and out of foul trouble will be key to a Hughes victory in this non-conference matchup.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Hughes</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Mt. Healthy (11-5, 7-1) vs. Walnut Hills (11-5, 7-3), Tuesday 7:30pm- </strong>The Owls have been one of the more underrated teams in the city, winning 11 of their last 14 after a 0-2 start. A win against Walnut would definitely give Mt. Healthy more pub, and could help there seeding come tournament time. Expect a physical paint matchup between two 2020 forwards, <strong>Walnut’s</strong> <strong>Nic Smith (PHO #165) and Mt. Healthy Brandon Lanier. </strong>Both of these gentleman are strong, not afraid to mix it up in the paint and both finish well in traffic.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Walnut Hills</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>#8 Wyoming (13-1, 8-0) vs. Deer Park (11-5, 7-2), Tuesday 7:30pm- </strong>A loss to the Cowboys tonight will basically end the Wildcats chances of a 2^nd straight conference title. And without senior <strong>C Joe Hocker (knee), </strong>the task just got a lot tougher.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Wyoming</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>#1 Taft (12-1, 6-1) vs. Aiken (13-4, 5-2), Friday 7:30pm- </strong>It was mentioned last week in the Conference Update: CMAC article that Aiken can win at least a share of the CMAC if it wins out. Well, a win against the Senators would be a good start toward that accomplishment. <strong>Tremaine Smith (2019 PHO Top 125) </strong>defense against <strong>PHO 2020 Top 20 performer Nekhi Smith</strong> will be the key factor if the Falcons hope to get the W.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Taft</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Princeton (10-5, 7-3) vs. Hamilton (9-6, 6-4), Friday 7:30pm- </strong>There will be some premium guard play in this game, as both programs have guards that are among the best in the city. For Big Blue the senior tandem of <strong>D’Marco Howard and Jaylen Robinson (Northern St. Signee), </strong>who are the 1^st and 5^th leading scorers in the conference respectively. They will be going up against a trio of outstanding junior guards for the Princeton (<strong>Kaleb Crawford, Khalil Davis and DeAirius Randle), </strong>all 2020 guards who can score the ball and be playmakers for others.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Princeton</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Turpin (11-5, 7-3) vs. Loveland (11-5, 7-3), Friday 7:30pm- </strong>Big, big game in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with both teams locked in a 3-way tie for 2^nd place. It will interesting to see if 2019 stud <strong>Jalen Greiser</strong> will be available for this matchup after missing Friday’s Walnut Hills game with a lower leg injury.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Turpin</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p>