SW Ohio Sleeper Teams

<p>The tournament is in full swing in SW Ohio with games starting as early as last Tuesday. While we try to focus on the players that impress during this time, it is worth examining the teams that surprise even us as scouts. In this piece, I look at one team per division in SW Ohio that have either already played the role of Cinderella, or have a chance to pull an upset or two this postseason.</p> <p><strong>Middletown</strong>- The Middies got their revenge against St. Xavier with an 86-84 victory to begin the tournament last week. To put 86 points on a St. X team that was allowing 55 points per game entering the tournament is such an incredible feat. Led by seniors <strong>Tywan Hall </strong>and <strong>Malachi Parker, </strong>Middletown now prepares for Loveland and a potential rematch with Sycamore in the District Semifinals. </p> <p><strong>Graham</strong>- If there was an upset no one saw coming, it was likely the Falcons in their OT win against Ponitz. Some people considered Ponitz a favorite to win their District so to knock them off in the 1st game says a lot about where Graham is entering the tournament. Junior <strong>Ben Sells</strong> and senior <strong>Eric Goddard</strong> combined for 53 of Graham’s points in the win and they now prepare for a matchup with Carroll and the leading scorer in the GCL Coed last year (<strong>Sean McKitrick</strong>). If Graham can have another big offensive outing, it could spell trouble for the Patriots who have only scored 70+ points once this season.</p> <p><strong>Purcell Marian</strong>- Last year the Cavaliers surprised many with a two-win postseason run that gave them hope for this year. Coming in as a 12-seed, Purcell played the role of Cinderella again as they defeated Cincinnati Country Day 47-37 on Saturday. When you have the 2nd leading scorer in the MVC in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045460" first="Andre" last="Simmons"]</strong>, you are going to have a chance to be a tough out every night. Tonight brings their next test as the Cavaliers prepare for Georgetown. If Simmons can have a big scoring night, Purcell could find themselves back in the District Semifinals.</p> <p><strong>Fort Loramie</strong>- Every year the Redskins find a way to compete when it comes time to the tournament. Even with a not as impressive record this year, Loramie can compete and should be viewed as a sleeper when they open tournament play tomorrow. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867944" first="Caleb" last="Maurer"]</strong> has cemented himself as one of the better scorers in the SCAL and now has a chance to show his scoring potential against a Troy Christian team that is going to do everything they can to contain him. The Redskins have some seniors that understand the tradition and work needed to win in the SCAL and win in the District.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>