Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) Preview

<p>The TAAC has been sneaky competitive lately. With talent flowing through Cardinal Stritch, Maumee Valley, Toledo Christian, and Ottawa Hills, this conference's talent now rivals its peers around the area. </p> <p>Stritch and Maumee Valley have also been major players in the OHSAA postseason, highlighted by Stritch's appearance in the Division III state semifinals last year. Maumee Valley made it to the regional finals before being put out by eventual state champion Convoy Crestview. </p> <p>While several key players like Zeb Jackson, Jordan Burton, and Tony Delvaux are gone, at least two teams have a shot to make another run in 2019-20. </p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>First Team</strong></span></h5> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-holifield/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joey Holifield</a> (2020) | 6-2 PG | Cardinal Stritch</strong></h6> <p>Holifield has shared point guard responsibilities with Jordan Burton since his first day in a Cardinal uniform. Burton, a 2019 graduate now playing at Notre Dame (OH), was their leading scorer at 14.8 per game last season; the type of skilled player who could create a shot on any given possession. </p> <p>The Oakland commit has a version of that again this season in backcourt mates Devyn Jones and Jhaiden Wilson. But we do anticipate Holifield to be in more of a score-minded role as a senior. His combination of skill, power, and athleticism will be unmatched across the league. He can defend 1 through 4 against conference foes. Most importantly, Holifield will steer the Cards to a first place finish while challenging for the Ohio Division III Player of the Year award.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cole-mcwhinnie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cole McWhinnie</a> (2021) | 6-1 PG | Toledo Christian</strong></h6> <p>Although Toledo Christian may be one year away from being the TAAC's premier team, McWhinnie and company are very much in the discussion this season. McWhinnie, son of head coach Dave McWhinnie, is an elite shooter who plays an efficient style. Understands spacing and how to play with or without the ball. Patient and experienced. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devyn-jones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Devyn Jones</a> (2020) | 6-5 SG | Cardinal Stritch</strong></h6> <p>Jones, a Toledo St. John's transfer, will be playing a varsity role for the first time this season. He's sure to become a known name on the scene this season, though. Jones is a wiry, thin 6-foot-5 guard with a lot of skill. Impressive ball-handler who changes speeds and directions as a slasher. Draws contact. Skilled finisher. Dangerous in open space. His length can bother small guards on defense, too. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-wensink/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trevor Wensink</a> (2021) | 6-2 SF | Toledo Christian</strong></h6> <p>Wensink is a high-energy swingman that averaged 14.2 points and 6.2 rebounds as a sophomore. Plays at full-tilt every minute. Away from the ball, Wensink operates the interior, constantly seeking holes in the defense so he can catch and finish. Makes quick decisions. Knocks down open shots. Versatile defender. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jr-lumsden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">JR Lumsden</a> (2021) | 6-3 SF | Maumee Valley</strong></h6> <p>Zeb Jackson and Steve Coleman have transferred. Maumee Valley still has a dynamic athlete in Lumsden, though, who will be a mismatch for opponents. Equipped with springy legs and a big body, Lumsden put up 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season. Good touch around the basket and the ability to drive from the perimeter. His production will increase in a more featured role, although being highlighted and underlined in the scouting report will be a new challenge.</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Second Team</strong></span></h5> <h6><strong>Jay Moten (2021) | 6-2 SG | Northwood</strong></h6> <h6><strong>Jhaiden Wilson (2021) | 5-8 G | Cardinal Stritch</strong></h6> <h6><strong>Dez Jett (2020) | 5-9 PG | Maumee Valley</strong></h6> <h6><strong>James Silk (2020) | 6-4 SF | Ottawa Hills</strong></h6> <h6><strong>John Kight (2020) | 6-2 SG | Ottawa Hills</strong></h6> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Breakout Players</span>: </em></strong><em>Brandon Burks (CS), Ross Thompson (CS), DJ Alexander (MV)</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Predicted Finish:</strong></span></h5> <p>1. Cardinal Stritch — Guys like Devyn Jones, Jhaiden Wilson, Brandon Burks, Ross Thompson, and Justin Wiggins may be lesser known commodities than Jordan Burton and Little Anderson. However, despite not having a ton of varsity experience outside of Holifield and Wilson, this Stritch roster is still one of the most talented statewide in Division III. They may not be a dominate team as soon as the season tips but we see Stritch claiming another regional championship if the pieces gel.</p> <p>2. Toledo Christian — Their two top scorers return in McWhinnie and Wensink, a pair that has built a rare amount of chemistry through the years. They should challenge for the league's top spot and creep towards the AP top ten in Division IV. </p> <p>3. Maumee Valley — In the entire state, nobody's roster suffered more from transfers in the summer of 2019 as Michigan commit Zeb Jackson went off to Montverde and junior wing Steve Coleman to Rogers. They would've been heavy favorites to make it to Columbus and maybe even win state had Jackson and Coleman returned. While we don't see them as that level of contender, this team does have enough talent to finish well-over .500.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem">4. Ottawa Hills</span></p> <p>5. Northwood</p> <p>6. Emmanuel Christian</p>