Top Five Games of Week 8

<p>After a week off (sorry I had the flu last Monday), we’re back with the Top Five Games of the Week. To make up for lost time, we’re actually coming out with two of these this week — this one and another centered around Flyin’ to the Hoop.</p> <p>Therefore, here are the top five games, not including those being played at the best event of the season:</p> <h3> </h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Purcell Marian (9-2) at Wyoming (9-0), Jan. 15 at 7:30PM</strong></em></h3> <p>Both teams will ride nine-game winning streaks into battle in this highly anticipated non-conference showdown. Although Purcell may not have the same undefeated glow as the Cowboys, they’ve picked up quality wins against Fenwick, Pittsburg North Catholic, Badin, St. X, and McNicholas over the last several weeks. Both are as good of a team you’ll find in Cincinnati in their respective division — Wyoming D-II and Purcell D-III.</p> <p>Both teams have notable trios. For Wyoming, Findlay commit and point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/joey-edmonds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joey Edmonds</a> leads the way with 18.7 PPG and 5.8 APG. <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/evan-prater/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evan Prater</a>, a Division I prospect in two sports, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/isaiah-walker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaiah Walker</a> surround him.</p> <p>Purcell’s top three are all unsigned seniors. <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/aj-garrett/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AJ Garrett</a>, 15.0 PPG, is a young senior with tremendous verticality and versatility. <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/javonta-lyons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Javonta Lyons</a>, 13.0 PPG, is a power guard with shot-making ability. Then, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/alex-dotson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Dotson</a> at 12.4 PPG is a 6’4” combo guard with a lot of upside.</p> <p><em><strong>Other prospects</strong>: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/bryan-warah/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Warah</a> (PM), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jared-baldock/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jared Baldock</a> (PM)</em></p> <p><em><strong>Our pick</strong>: Wyoming</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Cardinal Stritch (10-2) at Maumee Valley (8-2), Jan. 18 at 7:30PM</strong></em></h3> <p>It seems like every year this is billed as the game between junior guards <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/zeb-jackson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zeb Jackson</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/joey-holifield/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joey Holifield</a>. Then, it ends up coming down to supporting cast as the D-I recruits, sort of, cancel each other out.</p> <p>This year, it feels like two guys in particular could end up being that difference maker. For the Cards, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/little-anderson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Anderson</a> is a kid who has greatly improved on a year to year basis. He’s become someone who can score in a variety of ways and is now averaging 13.9 PPG and a team-high 7.0 rebounds. On the other side, sophomore <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/steve-coleman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Coleman</a> has taken a leap. Although just about 6’2”, the hard-motor wing is averaging 15.3 points and 10.0 rebounds.</p> <p><em><strong>Other prospects</strong>: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jordan-burton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jordan Burton</a> (CS), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/ashton-caryer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashton Caryer</a> (CS), Nolan Finch (CS), Dez Jett (MV)</em></p> <p><em><strong>Our pick</strong>: Cardinal Stritch</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Columbus South (11-0) at Walnut Ridge (9-2), Jan. 18 at 7PM</strong></em></h3> <p>The first time they met, on Dec. 11, this game went to overtime after a regulation buzzer-beater from South wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/marcus-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marcus Johnson</a>. It included scoring outbursts from <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/voncameron-davis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VonCameron Davis</a> (35 points), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/treohn-watkins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treohn Watkins</a> (25 points), and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/kaveon-ross/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kaveon Ross</a> (22 points), all numbers according to 270 Hoops.</p> <p>They now meet again and if Walnut Ridge has any hopes of competing for a City League title, a win on Friday is imperative. An upset win for Walnut Ridge starts on the defensive side of the floor. But they could also use a vintage performance from <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/qian-magwood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qian Magwood</a>, who has gone over 20 points only once this season and is averaging 10.5 PPG, per 270 Hoops.</p> <p><em><strong>Other prospects</strong>: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/trevell-adams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevell Adams</a> (South), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/taquan-simington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taquan Simington</a> (South), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/tyrique-hawkins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyrique Hawkins</a> (South)</em></p> <p><em><strong>Our pick</strong>: South</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Game of the Week: Lima Senior (9-2) at Whitmer (9-0), Jan. 18 at 7:30PM</strong></em></h3> <p>Four teams have emerged atop the Three Rivers Athletic Conference — these two plus Toledo St. Francis and Findlay. Every time those four cross paths going forward, it’s a must-see event for NWO hoop fans.</p> <p>A week ago, we would’ve tagged this the game of the year in Toledo, and it still might be despite Lima’s loss to Findlay over the weekend.</p> <p>Whitmer has an edge in terms of experience. Their four-senior starting lineup has been the difference in crunch time of close games. But, Lima’s talent in the junior class matches up nicely with Whitmer’s top scorers. 6’5” wing/forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jamir-simpson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jamir Simpson</a> may be able to matchup athletically with <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/eddie-colbert/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eddie Colbert</a>. Meanwhile, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/josiah-fulcher/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josiah Fulcher</a> at 6’2” could defend any number of Whitmer Panthers, including the sharp-shooting <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/areon-evans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Areon Evans</a>. Finally, although he’s just a freshman, 5’4” point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/khallil-luster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khalil Luster</a> has <em>elite </em>quickness as an on the ball defender. At the end of the day, though, home court might be the difference.</p> <p><em><strong>Other prospects</strong>: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/leon-hughes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leon Hughes</a> (Whitmer), Maurice Purley (Whitmer), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jadakis-mack/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jadakis Mack</a> (Lima)</em></p> <p><em><strong>Our pick</strong>: Whitmer</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Pickerington North (9-2) at Pickerington Central (12-0), Jan 18 at 7:30PM</strong></em></h3> <p>In a lot of ways, Pickerington Central embarks on a new season this week. Their two impact transfers, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/sam-towns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Towns</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jajuan-jay-rodgers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JaJuan “Jay” Rodgers</a>, are both done for the season because of OHSAA regulations. Also, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/coleton-landis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coleton Landis</a> may still be out with injury. And for those Tigers, they have to adjust on the fly with two of their toughest games of the season coming Friday and Monday — Pick North and Trotwood at Flyin’ to the Hoop.</p> <p>Pick North took one on the chin at home against the Tigers this season already, losing 80-67 in early December. We believe they’ll be licking their chops at the opportunity to catch their rivals in a potentially vulnerable stretch. With three starters out of the lineup, the Tigers will need a valiant effort from guys like <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/javohn-garcia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Javohn Garcia</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/conner-maciag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conner Maciag</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jaidon-lipscomb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaidon Lipscomb</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/tahleik-walker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tahleik Walker</a>, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/garner-wallace/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Garner Wallace</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>Other prospects</strong>: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jack-sawyer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jack Sawyer</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/hunter-shedenhelm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hunter Shedenhelm</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/chris-scott/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Scott</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/idris-lawrence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Idris Lawrence</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/casey-george/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Casey George</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jerry-saunders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerry Saunders</a> (PN), <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/elhadji-thiam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elhadji Thiam</a> (PC)</em></p> <p><em><strong>Our Pickerington</strong>: North</em></p>