Eastern Cincinnati Conference Preview

<p>The Eastern Cincinnati Conference consists of mainly Division I programs out of Southwest Ohio. The conference sometimes doesn’t get a ton of credit due to them competing against GCL South and GMC teams come tournament time. This upcoming season will especially be hard with so many players from a season ago now graduated. The top 3 remain the same in Walnut Hills, Lebanon, and Turpin, but the rest of the conference looks slightly down and will struggle to continue competing. Check out our ECC preview below.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Contenders</strong></span></p> <p><em>Walnut Hills</em>- The Eagles were under the radar a year ago finishing 17-4 and tying Turpin for the ECC title. 4 of the top 5 from that team return and make Walnut Hills easy favorites to win the conference. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222345" first="Tyler" last="McKinley"]</strong> is the #1 player in Ohio’s 2024 class and already has the attention of D1s across the country. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1195130" first="Owen" last="Murray"]</strong> is one of the city’s best shooters and has a quality guard in junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1163473" first="Javion" last="Bostic"]</strong>. It’s hard to see Walnut Hills not winning the conference outright this year with the amount of talent and could be a sleeper in the District play too.</p> <p><em>Lebanon- </em>The Warriors made good work in their first season in the ECC after coming over from the GWOC. While they lose some key role players from that group, the cupboards are not bare. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921813" first="Kamden" last="O’Connor"] </strong>is one of the better floor generals you’ll find and is back again for another season. Also returning is senior <strong>Andrew Cleaver</strong>. Competing with Walnut Hills will come down to how well this team defends.</p> <p><em>Turpin</em>- Turpin were co-champions in the ECC last year along with Walnut Hills. They lose 3 of their top 4 from that team and now must try and compete with a Walnut Hills team that brings back virtually everyone from a year ago. The duo Turpin now has thought gives me confidence this team is still a top 3 team in the conference. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1203995" first="Brady" last="Hardewig"]</strong> is the returning player from last season now back and the floor general in the backcourt. The Spartans added senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1219810" first="Colin" last="McHale"]</strong> from Covington Catholic who stretches the floor with his length and athleticism. While I like Turpin a lot still, they are going to have to find other guys to help McHale and Hardewig if they are to challenge Lebanon and Walnut Hills.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Remaining Conference</strong> <strong>Members</strong></span></p> <p><em>Anderson</em>- Lose 3 of their top 4 from a 12-9 team. Have senior <strong>Joey Cron</strong> back to lead.</p> <p><em>Kings</em>- Struggled last season in the conference and don’t have enough returning to stay near the top.</p> <p><em>Little Miami-</em> Failed to win a game last season and now lost their top player from that team.</p> <p><em>Loveland</em>- Lose their top 2 from 8-13 team a year ago.</p> <p><em>Milford- </em>Lose leading scorer Alex Hannah from a season ago. </p> <p><em>West</em> <em>Clermont- </em>Similar to the rest of the conference; losing their top 3 including AJ Gillepsie.</p> <p><em>Winton Woods- </em>Warriors struggled last season but have their top 2 guys back in junior <strong>Jermaine Matthews</strong> and senior <strong>Derrick Lawson</strong>. Poised for a stronger finish in 2022.</p>