Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference (CMAC) Preview
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The CMAC celebrated the one thing every conference would love to have…a state champion. Taft represented the CMAC and won the Division III state championship in a thriller to bring home some hardware for the city. Woodward, who went undefeated…
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Continue ReadingThe CMAC celebrated the one thing every conference would love to have…a state champion. Taft represented the CMAC and won the Division III state championship in a thriller to bring home some hardware for the city. Woodward, who went undefeated in the conference, advanced to the Regional Finals before falling one game short of a state Final Four appearance. The 2022-23 CMAC could be one of the more competitive seasons we’ve seen in awhile with plenty of firepower and talent.
Contenders
Taft
The Senators did what every team wants to achieve when they cut down the nets last March. In total, 4 of the top 6 are returning for the Senators although they will now be in Division II vs Division III. Hudson Norton Hudson Norton 6'3" | SG Taft | 2023 State OH (Sr) played pivotal minutes during the tournament run and should move into a more leadership role along with Miami (OH) commit Eian Elmer Eian Elmer 6'6" | SF Taft | 2023 State OH (Sr) who brings incredible athleticism to the table. Sophomores James Barnett and Kieran Granville-Britten Kieran Granville-Britten 6'7" | C Princeton | 2025 State OH played important roles as freshmen a season ago and should see their outputs increase. The Senators added Quanny Bostic (Jr) from Woodward which brings another athletic two-way player on the perimeter.
Woodward
The Bulldogs were undefeated a season ago in the CMAC and were short of a State Final Four appearance. Repeating this is going to be a challenge considering they lose one of the greatest players to wear the Woodward uniform in Paul McMillan IV. While replacing McMillan and his scoring output is quite a task, there are guys returning that should keep them right there in the competition. Ru Mills Ru Mills 6'2" | SF Cincinnati Woodward | 2024 State OH (Jr) has a ton of upside as a scoring threat and could replicate partially some of the offensive numbers lost by McMillan. Kanye Moreland Kanye Moreland 5'11" | CG Cincinnati Woodward | 2023 State OH (Sr) is experienced in the backcourt and can handle the ball for the Bulldogs. Besides losing their primary scorer, the Bulldogs lost their size and rim protection from a season ago. Even with this, the culture is moving towards a winning attitude and could be enough for the program to continue their dominance.
Cincinnati College Prep
CCPA plays in the Blue division which is mainly the small schools in the CMAC. The Lions have dominated the past few years and are coming off of a 12-1 record in the conference (lone loss to Gamble Montessori). While Gamble has some weapons of their own, CCPA has the best scorer in the division in Jabari Covington Jabari Covington 6'1" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY (Jr) who gives off Paul McMillan vibes with his scoring potential as an underclassmen. The Lions have another great perimeter shooting threat in Josh Marshall (Sr) who has the leadership CCPA is looking for to accompany Covington and make this team a tougher matchup on paper.
Predicted Order of Finish
Red Division
- Taft- Even with losing Rayvon Griffith and Mekhi Elmore, Senators have size, skill, and experience to win the divisional title and compete for a District/Regional title in Division II.
- Woodward- Losing McMillan and his output is tough to replace, but Mills has a lot of that potential and the Bulldogs have a culture towards winning that should carry over.
- Withrow- This could be a special team if the pieces fall into place. Alexander Parks Alexander Parks 5'8" | PG Withrow | 2023 State OH (Sr) had a great Summer and brings good patience and speed in the backcourt. Michael Johnson Michael Johnson 6'6" | SF Cincinnati Withrow | 2024 State OH (Jr) is an incredible athlete with elite rim protection potential.
- Hughes- Lacked the flare to challenge the top dogs a year ago. Returning 2 of their top 3 in Marvin Good Marvin Good 6'1" | CG Hughes | 2023 State OH (Sr) and Brandon Glass Brandon Glass 6'8" | C Cincinnati Aiken | 2024 State OH (Jr) but will miss the production from JaeSean Martin in the backcourt.
- Western Hills- Graduation killed the Mustangs as they are without their top 3 scorers from a season ago. Lot of size and skill now gone.
- Aiken- Will be without their top 2 scorers from last season as the Falcons move into Division I this year.
- Shroder- Lack the firepower offensively of the other teams in the division.
Blue Division
- Cincinnati College Prep- Dominated the Blue division a year ago and have the best player in the division in Jabari Covington Jabari Covington 6'1" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY . Should be able to again win the division again as long as they can outperform Gamble Montessori.
- Gamble Montessori- Gators have nice duo returning in Michael Norton Michael Norton 6'1" | CG Gamble Montessori | 2023 State OH (Sr) and Dalon Owensby (Sr). Succeeded beating CCPA once last year, but they have to be able to do it again.
- Riverview East, Oyler, Hillcrest, Spencer, SCPA- All of these teams are in the same boat and therefore hard to rank. Not returning much from a team with a struggling record last year.