Ohio Valley Hoops Classic Preview

After cancelling the 2021 event due to COVID, the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic returns in 2022 with one of the best fields I can remember to date. Ohio is well represented as is Indiana. I will be in attendance Friday at Mason taking in the action but before watching some games live, I will preview the games throughout the weekend. Lakota West vs Franklin The OVHC begins Friday with a showdown between Franklin and Lakota West. The Wildcats have some decent size in [player_tooltip player_id="967173" first="Noah" last="Rich"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921761" first="Nate" last="Paarlberg"] that they will utilize. West has one of the best guards in Southwest Ohio in junior Nate Dudukovich. They also have a talented guard back in senior [player_tooltip player_id="1045465" first="William" last="Layfield"]. Expect a lot of shots in this game as Franklin likes to utilize their perimeter shooting which West will also use their physicality in the backcourt while taking perimeter shots as well.   St. Xavier vs Olentangy Liberty I expect this game to be a defensive battle as St. X is known for their tenacity and aggressiveness on the defensive end of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1195129" first="Louie" last="Semona"] is back and will be key offensive performer for the Bombers. The Patriots are guard heavy led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id="717039" first="Cooper" last="Davis"] and Parker Hinkle. St. X is going to bring defensive pressure the entire floor and force Liberty to really control the ball.   Fairfield vs Richmond Heights Arguably the best game of the day features a D1-D4 showdown. Fairfield is returning virtually everyone from their GMC title team last year. Richmond Heights was in the State Semifinals last season and returns 3 starters including senior [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"], a West Virginia commit. The Indians have the guard play to handle the pressure Richmond Heights brings, but they will have their hands full defending Harris.   Lakota East vs Massillon Jackson Another great matchup between yearly powerhouses. East is again loaded with talent across the board and will play hard nosed defensive basketball led by [player_tooltip player_id="921807" first="Jadon" last="Coles"]. Jackson again has a senior heavy team capable of competing and will also defend you for 32 minutes. Led by senior [player_tooltip player_id="1173589" first="Kevin" last="James"] and junior Owen Woolbert. Both teams are well coached and play hard meaning this could be a battle down to the wire.   Mason vs Tri-Village Another D1/D4 matchup between small school power Tri-Village and the host Comets of Mason. The Patriots return everyone from an undefeated regular season. Mason has one of the better 2024s in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="1222359" first="Ben" last="Menker"]. The Comets don’t play fast paced basketball and are really going to make the Patriots work on the offensive end of the floor. Beating a Division I is no easy task, but Tri-Village will have a chance with [player_tooltip player_id="967174" first="Layne" last="Sarver"] and Josh Scantland   Woodward vs Beechcroft Saturday’s action begins with two of Division II’s best programs in the state. Woodward got a spark when they brought back senior [player_tooltip player_id="616817" first="Paul" last="McMillan IV"] and will have plenty of guys around him to compete including senior [player_tooltip player_id="1219812" first="Keliese" last="Frye"] and sophomore Roo Mills. Beechcroft has some impressive talent back themselves in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="921776" first="JJ" last="Simmons"] and [player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"]. Both can flat out score the ball and this could be an intense offensive game.   Alter vs Homestead (IN) Alter begins their 2021-22 campaign against a talented Homestead team. The Knights have a talented defensive nightmare in [player_tooltip player_id="809602" first="Jacob" last="Conner"], a Marshall commit. Along with a plethora of juniors, they have the experience to be one of the top teams in this event. Homestead has one of Indiana’s best guards in Fletcher Loyer, who is committed to Purdue. Alter’s defense will need to be locked in to keeping Loyer contained if they want to win.   Elder vs Carmel (IN) Elder draws one of the toughest matchups of the event playing against Carmel out of Indiana. The Panthers have a ton of talent back, led by [player_tooltip player_id="1138753" first="Sean" last="Keller"] in the backcourt and [player_tooltip player_id="1163451" first="Carson" last="Browne"] in the frontcourt. Carmel is loaded with Division I talent led by Peter Suder. This should be an exciting game in the middle stretch of games.   St. Ignatius vs Cathedral (IN) The Wildcats return a ton of talent from their State Semifinalist team a year ago. Guard play is where they will have an edge in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1222346" first="Calvin" last="Little"] Jr, [player_tooltip player_id="1222357" first="Carter" last="Jackson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1222353" first="Ace" last="Buckner"]. Cathedral has the size advantage led by senior Charlie Williams who at 6-foot-10 will be one of the tallest players on the floor. He is committed to William & Mary. Ignatius is never an easy win and will make Cathedral compete on both ends of the floor to win.   Mason vs Hilliard Bradley Mason will turn around after facing Tri-Village and take on a young but disciplined Bradley team. The Jaguars have a talented guard in [player_tooltip player_id="1222352" first="Cade" last="Norris"] and overall have a solid sophomore class. This game will serve as another tough matchup for Mason as Bradley will bring physicality Mason will see in the GMC.