Five Early Predictions For The MOAC

Brandon Little

September 30, 2019 @ 05:01 AM

The MOAC is a mix of smaller schools and middle sized schools in North-Central Ohio area. Last year Clear Fork won the conference losing just two conference games, going 19-5 overall. Things could be a lot different this season, as new faces will arise. Here I take a crack at five predictions for the MOAC. <h3>Predictions:</h3> TJ Pugh Will Win Player Of The Year: Last season as the season progressed Pugh was the best player in the MOAC all-around. After finishing second team all-conference last year, there’s no doubt he’ll be first team this season. In the MOAC there’s just no one that can guard a 6-5 ball handler night in and night out. Pugh could lead the conference in scoring, also will be top three in rebounds and steals. Losing Uriah Schwemely means there’s a lot of lost production up in the air. Those numbers will often translate to the junior Pugh and his teammate Cody Lantz. The League Will Be Wide Open: With many teams losing a whole lot the conference could be up for grabs. Buckeye Valley has moved onto a different conference as well. Ontario, Shelby all return key pieces, but lost some as well. Galion returns first team guard Isaiah Alsip. But, questions remain with what will be around him. Clear Fork returns Brennan South, who can score it in bunches for the Colts, and should have them competing even with their losses to graduation. The conference in a whole should be very competitive. Marion Harding Improves From Last Years Record Of 7-16: Flash back to 2017 Harding won the MOAC, and had the best player in the league Jason Ellis. Since, things have been downhill and not a ton of wins. Harding returns three key players in Mitch Myers, Tabias Thompson-Reece and Ayden Rich. The upperclassmen will carry the load for this team. Also, the Presidents have some underclassmen that have flashed on JV and the freshman team. It’ll be an interesting team to watch, to see if they can put it together. River Valley Improves Big Time: River Valley had some good talent last season, but had trouble finishing out games or second half meltdowns. The Vikings lost a decent amount but return Ethan Bell, who is one of the better point guards in the league. Transfer Jahki Henderson from Marion Harding should slide into a starting role right away for the Vikings. The fills a big void left by the loss of AJ Kenney, who was solid in the MOAC, as a matchup problem. The Vikings bring back other contributors such as Dylan Johnson, Klayton Kenney and Ben Mayse. Expect the Vikings to improve on last season, too. Marion Pleasant Lost A lot, But Will Compete Night In & Night Out: Pleasant lost four of five starters, and a ton of production. Returning for the Spartans will be Patrick Blubaugh, the lone starter from last years team. Cohl Ambrose was a nice rotational player last year for Pleasant, who could also slide into a starting role. Seniors Alex Joachim and Noah McGinnis will move into bigger roles as well, after being JV standouts. Pleasant is always well coached by Ben Snively, who always has the Spartans ready year in and year out.