Key Prospects for Southwest Ohio’s Top 2nd Round Games (Div-I)

<p><em>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.matthewcletus.com/sports">Matthew Cletus</a></em></p> <p>We have reached that point of the year where big matchups require big-time performances from big-time athletes. Below we are discussing some of the top matchups of the week and the players key to getting their teams the win. </p> <p><strong>Mason vs Lakota West</strong></p> <p><em>Lakota West and Mason will be a thrilling matchup this week. Mason previously beat Lakota West 43-41 during the regular season where Lakota West top performer did not play. </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-mackey/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-mackey/">Julian Mackey</a></a> (2020, 6'3" G) from Lakota West leads the league in ppg with 21.9. He is an efficient shooter that can take over games. If <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-combs/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-combs/">Carter Combs</a></a> and Julian limit their turnovers and create quality shot opportunities for each other, it could be a long night for Mason.</p> <p>Mitchell Greer (2020, 6'4" F) from Mason leads his team in scoring at just over 16ppg. The Mason forward will need to be efficient in the paint and be physical inside. Mitchell isn't afraid of contact and the more he gets to the charity stripe, the better position his team will be in. </p> <p><strong>T<span style="font-size: 1rem;">urpin vs Elder</span></strong></p> <p><em>Regular season matchup ended with Turpin beating Elder 46-43.</em></p> <p>Turpin big man <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/owen-spencer/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/owen-spencer/">Owen Spencer</a></a> (2020, 6'9" F) is going to be my key prospect for Turpin in their matchup versus Elder. Having a solid backcourt consisting of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-holt/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-holt/">Jackson Holt</a></a> and Dominic Cantrella, Owen will need to be an inside presence. Owen is averaging roughly 11pts, 7reb a game on nearly 60% shooting. If he can stay out of foul trouble and be as efficient as he normally is, there won't be too many bigs that will match up with him until later on in the tourney. </p> <p>Willard Cluxton (2020, 5'8" G) is a very solid passing guard that leads the GCL South with 5apg. While Willard isn't the most efficient scorer, he has the ability to get his teammates involved all over the court. Elder doesn't have a standout scorer and in fact, they have four different scorers averaging just above 8ppg. </p> <p><strong>St Xavier vs West Clermont</strong></p> <p><em>St. Xavier defeated West Clermont 61-41 in regular-season play.</em></p> <p>Kobe Rodgers (2021, 6'2" G) from St. X was the big name in the first matchup between these two teams. Kobe led all scorers with 18pts, and I believe another performance like that will help his team get a similar result again. He also added 5reb and 4stl in that initial contest. St. X has not lost a game when Kobe shoots 50% or better from the field. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-ames/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-ames/">Jackson Ames</a></a> ( 2020, 6'11" C ) from West Clermont is going to have to get his touches in this game. The star big man nearly averages a double-double each game, but the first time the teams matched up, he went 2-2 from the field.  Jackson has scored 14 plus in the last seven games for his team, and he will have to have a similar performance to have a different result this time around.  </p> <p><strong>Hamilton vs Mt Healthy</strong></p> <p><em>Hamilton defeated Mt. Healthy 82-68 in the regular-season matchup.</em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-robinson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-robinson/">Trey Robinson</a></a> (2020, 6'6 G) is hands down the key to Hamilton's success. He leads his team in almost every major category at 19pts, 6reb, 3ast, 2blk, and 2stl per game. The NKU commit dropped 32 on 7-8 shooting from downtown in the first matchup. At 6'6, he is a tough matchup for almost anyone in the state. </p> <p>Kollin Tolbert (2022, 6'1 G) leads Mt. Healthy with 16pts, 9reb, and 4ast per game. While he played very well in the first matchup, Kollin will have to find a way to get his teammates involved early and limit his turnovers. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>