Ohio Valley Hoops Classic Preview

The 2019-2020 season began Wednesday night with several matchups to start the season. Friday night will kick of the new year for several top programs at the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic at Mason High School this year. The event is in it’s 6th year and has one of it’s best fields yet this season. In this preview, I look at the 5 guys to keep an eye on, as well as providing one key for each Ohio team participating in their matchups throughout the day. Players to Watch Paul McMillan IV (2022) Woodward- The sophomore point guard had a busy summer picking up offers from high major programs and transferring over from Hughes for the season. In his first official game of the season with the Bulldogs, McMillan will be tasked with leading this group against a very quality Jeffersonville team. The 6’2 guard is arguably one of the most athletic players at this event and will put on a show for sure. Rayvon Griffith (2023) Taft- Arguably one of the top 2023 prospects in the state, Griffith joins a Taft team that appears to be without a doubt the most explosive team in Division III out of Cincinnati this year. The OVHC will allow Griffith to face off against a very good Lakota East team that brings a high intensity defensive game to the table. Griffith has a knack for getting to the rim off the dribble and we will see how well he does against this Thunderhawks group that will most definitely extend their defensive pressure on him. Anthony McComb (2021) Thurgood Marshall- It’s a surprise to many that McComb has yet to pick up a D1 offer as he has the talent to play at the next level. A 6’2 guard, he can score from all 3 levels and creates plays on both ends of the floor. Thurgood will be tasked with facing off against Worthington Christian in what should be a high scoring game between 2 quality offensive groups. Logan Duncomb (2021) Moeller- The 6’9 junior saw his stock rise during the AAU circuit as he picked up offers and interest from Big Ten schools including Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa. The OVHC will provide a true test for Duncomb as he faces off against a Lutheran East team that is not short on height (no pun intended) and has some talent in the interior with Nehemiah Benson and Jalin Billingsley. Duncomb is tough and well coached and will have no issue standing up and defending these guys. Nehemiah Benson (2020) Lutheran East- The Rider University commit will be tasked with bringing his explosiveness and athleticism to the table on both ends of the floor against the defending state champions from Moeller. A lengthy perimeter player, Benson must step up this weekend and bring the enthusiasm on both ends of the floor if they are going to pull out a W. Schedule Wilmington vs. Licking Heights- For Wilmington they must settle in early on and not allow the Hornets to hit the gas too quickly. For Licking Heights they have to use their size early on and not allow Cam Coomer (2020) to get out to a quick start. Winton Woods vs. Roger Bacon- The key for Winton Woods in this game will be to flex their interior muscle early on as they have 4 guys 6’5 or taller vs. the Spartans 1. For Roger Bacon they must rely on their defense early and keep the game at a slower pace and maintain. Lakota East vs. Taft- The key for Lakota East will be to slow the game down and force this Taft team to turn the ball over often early on. For Taft they must rely on their senior Nekhi Smith (2020) and stay patient against the very defensive Thunderhawk group. Moeller vs. Lutheran East- The key for Moeller in this game will be to find a balance of attacking the paint with Duncomb and drawing the Falcons size to the outside on the perimeter with Max Land (2020) and Will McCracken (2021). For Lutheran East they must defend at a high level and keep this Moeller team from getting comfortable early on. Mason vs. Carmel (IN)- The key for Mason will be using their size in the paint with 6’8 Shameel Abid (2020) and 6’6 Jack Cooper (2020). CHCA vs. Fairland- CHCA will need to bring find a way to keep the Dragons from getting hot behind the arc, especially defending Aidan Porter (2022). Fairland must bring intensity on the defensive end and contain the Eagles trio of Blake Lloyd, Jake Younkin, and Cole Fisher. Turpin vs. Canal Winchester- For Turpin they must use Owen Spencer (2020) early on and allow him to set the tone early on. For Canal Winchester they must keep Bilal Sow (2020) involved and keep Spencer and the rest of this Turpin team from getting out to a fast start. Thurgood Marshall vs. Worthington Christian- Thurgood Marshall must defend the perimeter early on and keep the the Warriors talented backcourt from getting any easy looks. For Worthington Christian they must disrupt McComb and Mehki Elmore (2022) early and not allow either to have a big offensive night. Hughes vs. London- Hughes must bring high level defensive pressure and know where Trey Woodyard (2021) is at all times. London must keep patient and not allow Hughes to set the tone early with their fast paced offensive attack. Woodward vs. Jeffersonville (IN)- The Bulldogs will have to contain Tre Coleman (2020) and not allow the 6’6 senior to get a quick start. Hilliard Bradley vs. Hamilton Southeastern (IN)- The Jaguars will need to contain the Royals 7’2 senior Mabor Majak (2020) and find a way to keep him off the glass.