Crown Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crown Conference is a relatively newer conference in Ohio and features only 4 teams on the boys side of basketball. With it being such a small conference, it makes it easier to evaluate and predict. Walsh Jesuit was last year's champion. Can they repeat this feat again?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li><strong><em>Walsh Jesuit</em></strong>- The Warriors were undefeated in the Crown Conference a year ago and won an astonishing 20 games in route to a very successful season. This year will look a little different as they lose their top player from last year and a total of 3 of their top 5 are gone. Even with the departures, this team was the most dominant last year and should continue to be viewed as the favorite until someone shows they can go beat them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280748' first='Zach' last='Halligan']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572302' first='Sean' last='Spicer']</strong> (Jr) both return for the Warriors.</li><li><strong><em>Padua Franciscan</em></strong>- The Bruins will miss the production from Akinlana Popoola who departs due to graduation, but have 2 key role guys returning that provides some optimism for this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867937' first='Jesse' last='Hayes']</strong> (Sr) brings some size and has been a contributor since his freshman year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1491484' first='Riley' last='Cervenka']</strong> (So) is another young player with a chance to follow in Hayes' footsteps with contributions as an underclassman. The Bruins have the pieces, but must show they can knock off Walsh Jesuit to move forward.</li><li><strong>Mentor Lake Catholic</strong>- The Cougars were competitive and were just 2 games under .500 last year. Even with those struggles, they return their top 2 and have upperclassmen leadership that can give them a chance to try and challenge Padua. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976071' first='Aidan' last='Fitzgerald']</strong> (Sr) has been one of the better PGs in NE Ohio and will be a 4-year letterman. His presence on the floor is crucial as is the return of <strong>Peyton Budrys</strong> (Jr). Lake Catholic struggled with Padua Franciscan last year and has to adjust to competing with them first.</li><li><strong><em>Notre Dame Cathedral Latin</em></strong>- NDCL only won 4 games a year ago and has to take the next steps to try and stay competitive in the conference. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2138285' first='Evan' last='Dugger']</strong> (Jr) performed very well during his sophomore campaign and will have plenty of optimism as he takes the reins as a junior. NDCL has to be able to expand on the 4 wins a season ago if they are going try and improve from last year.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->