Ohio Valley Hoops Classic (OVHC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season gets close to beginning, I will be previewing some of the upcoming events throughout the year for our audience to watch. One of the more well-known events is the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic (OVHC), entering it's 6th year. Hosted by Mason High School, the OVHC features some of the better teams not just in Ohio, but in Indiana and previously Kentucky. This year's event has plenty of talent and high profile players to watch on November 25-26. Below is a preview of the event and players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Friday Slate)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1:00pm <strong><em>St. Xavier</em></strong> vs <strong><em> Hilliard Bradley</em></strong>- The 2022 OVHC begins with 2 traditional powers in Ohio. St. Xavier has a well coached, defensive minded team with plenty of seniors coming back. Bradley has one of the better guard duos in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222352' first='Cade' last='Norris']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225069' first='Jeb' last='Bischoff']</strong> (Jr) both returning. Both teams like to play a halfcourt focused offense with a focus on running sets and motion offenses. Expect a low scoring showdown in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2:45pm <strong><em>Taft</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Harvest Prep</em></strong>- Taft's 1st game as a Division II team will be against one of the top teams in Division III. The Senators lose Rayvon Griffith but return a hoist of guys including Miami (OH) commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088811' first='Eian' last='Elmer']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432054' first='Kieran' last='Granville-Britten']</strong> (So). Harvest Prep brings back almost everyone from their team a season ago, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432008' first='Brandon' last='Roddy']</strong> (So) and seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090148' first='Nyelle' last='Shaheed']</strong> and <strong>Zyaun Hutson</strong>. The Warriors can compete with anyone regardless of division and should give Taft quite a game in the 2nd game of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4:30pm <strong><em>Lakota East</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Delaware Hayes</em></strong>- East returns to the OVHC and brings an experienced and defensive program to Mason HS. A senior heavy team, East has is well coached and has plenty of depth, especially in the backcourt. Hayes debuts in the event and has one of Central Ohio's best players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222373' first='Jesse' last='Burris']</strong> (Jr) to go along with a upperclassmen led team. Burris will be the focal point of the East defense in this opener which could be a higher scoring game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6:15pm <strong><em>Dublin Jerome</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Sycamore</em></strong>- This matchup will likely be the game of the weekend at the event. Jerome will be one of the better teams in Columbus and is a senior heavy team led by Marshall commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922602' first='Ryan' last='Nutter']</strong> (Sr) in the backcourt. Sycamore is led by 6'10 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222347' first='Raleigh' last='Burgess']</strong> (Jr), widely considered as one of the best players in Ohio's 2024 class and owns multiple HM offers. Jerome's ability to contain Burgess on the block and boards, and limit turnovers against a stingy Sycamore defense will help determine if they win this early season showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8:00pm <strong><em>Mason</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Dunbar</em></strong>- The Wolverines have a guard heavy team led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='973875' first='Antaune' last='Allen']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432007' first='Bj' last='Hatcher']</strong> (So). Mason will feature their new coach in Adam Toohey, and a slew of upperclassmen led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222359' first='Ben' last='Menker']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285267' first='Jack' last='Ullom']</strong> (Sr) among others. This will likely feature contrasting styles as Dunbar will look to push the pace while Mason will be more halfcourt and set focused. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Saturday Slate)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1:00pm <strong><em>Georgetown</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Ponitz</em></strong>- The Saturday matinee will feature a great showdown between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285258' first='Carson' last='Miles']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Dayjuan Anderson</strong> (Sr). The G-Men were a Regional Runner Up last year and will lean on Miles to get their offense flowing. Anderson, a Wright State signee, has some seniors around him to make this Panthers team a dangerous team to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2:45pm <strong><em>Woodward</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Tindley (IN)</em></strong>- Woodward will begin life after Paul McMillan IV with a showdown against out of state opponent Tindley. The Bulldogs return <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368789' first='Ru' last='Mills']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867946' first='Kanye' last='Moreland']</strong> (Sr) from a season ago who both have extraordinary athleticism they bring to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4:30pm <strong><em>Preble Shawnee</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Heritage Christian (IN)</em></strong>- Another great prospect showdown between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1067753' first='Mason' last='Shrout']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Myles Colvin</strong> (Sr). Shrout is being heavily recruited at the LM level for the Arrows. Colvin is a Purdue commit and is one of the best players in the 2023 class in Indiana. Both can fill up the scoring columns in a heartbeat and will force the opposing defenses to account for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6:15pm <strong><em>Lakota West</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Brownsburg (IN)</em></strong>- An offensive showdown is expected between the Firebirds and Brownsburg. Lakota West has the top scorer in the GMC last year returning in <strong>Nate Dudukovich</strong> (Sr) and a group of underclassmen around him. Brownsburg brings back their top guy in <strong>Kanon Catchings</strong> (Jr) who is also a Purdue commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8:00pm <strong><em>Alter</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Olentangy Liberty</em></strong>- The OVHC ends with a showdown between familiar teams at Mason. Alter starts a new campaign after a State Semifinal appearance, and returns 3 starters led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201839' first='Anthony' last='Ruffolo']</strong> (Sr). Liberty will have one of the finer underclassmen in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480851' first='Tyler' last='Kropp']</strong> (So) along with several senior guards to counter Alter's experience in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->