Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECC could have had quite a year last season. The top 2 teams (Walnut Hills and Turpin) each qualified for the District Finals but neither were able to advance. Graduation really hits the conference hard and makes for some good conversation, but certainly questions if this can be replicated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contenders</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Walnut Hills</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's conference champion are back and return about half of their rotation from a year ago and loses their legendary coach Ricardo Hill. This would have been the undisputed favorite before Tyler McKinley transferred out to Link Academy. The nationally ranked big man would've been a problem as few teams in the conference could contain him. Instead, the Eagles return some key guards in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163473' first='Javion' last='Bostic']</strong> (Sr), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395688' first='Aaron' last='Odum']</strong> (Sr), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1495793' first='Sean' last='Harmon Jr']</strong> (Jr) from a season ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285304' first='Donovan' last='Barnes']</strong> (Sr) should have a bigger year and adds additional depth in the backcourt. Walnut Hills should be able to defend their title with the depth they do have, but certainly it will be tougher than this past year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Turpin</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turpin was the only team in the ECC to beat Walnut Hills a season ago and lost a tough game to Wayne in the District Finals. With McKinley's departure, the Spartans now return the top scorer in the conference in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1203995' first='Brady' last='Hardewig']</strong> (Sr). His running mate offensively (Colin McHale) is gone meaning more will be placed on Hardewig's shoulders to produce on the offensive end. Even with this in mind, Hardewig can fill up a scoring column very quickly with his range and perimeter attacking and therefore gives Turpin a chance to win some close games as the season wears on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Predicted Finish</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Walnut Hills- Lose a lot of good production and an ESPN ranked prospect, but have depth in the backcourt that should carry them yet again.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><li>Turpin- Return the top scoring threat in Hardewig, but lose a lot of key seniors that were around him last year. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><li>Loveland- Returning all but 2 from a 16 win team. Their top guy is back in <strong>Brayden Frietch</strong> (Sr) and could contest with Turpin for that #2 spot.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><li>Anderson- Lose a great piece in Joey Cron, but picked up a big transfer in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932777' first='Chandler' last='Starks']</strong> (Sr) from Covington Catholic. Sparks might be the best interior threat in the conference.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><li>Kings- Knights had a great Summer and showed promise. <strong>Michael Mussari</strong> (Sr) will be a name to watch for this group.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6"><li>Winton Woods- Not as much depth as other teams, but return one of the best scorers in the conference in <strong>Jermaine Matthews</strong> (Sr). Higher ceiling if guys around Matthews can fill in the gaps.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":7} --> <ol start="7"><li>Lebanon- Lose their top 2 from a year ago, but bring in one of the best freshmen in the state in <strong>Anthony Thompson</strong> (Fr). Sharpshooter for the Warriors, but it's hard to take a freshman led team to make a deep run. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":8} --> <ol start="8"><li>Milford- Return their top upperclassmen in <strong>Erich Morgan</strong> (Sr) as well as a promising underclassman in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1539879' first='Gavin' last='Dalen']</strong> (So). Not enough though to jump them out of the #8 spot.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":9} --> <ol start="9"><li>West Clermont- Struggled a season ago (3-19) but had one of the better freshmen in the conference in <strong>Luke Sanders</strong> (So). Now a year older, Sanders should see improvement if they can add some depth around him.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":10} --> <ol start="10"><li>Little Miami- Two sport athlete <strong>Brayden Bischoff</strong> (Sr) is back but they struggled last year and I don't see that changing much in 2023.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->