Drive to Dayton Episode 2 is posted!

The second episode of the Drive to Dayton saw co host Michael Roth of Prep Hoops Ohio and Tj Peatross of NEO Spotlight break down the biggest news across the Ohio High School hoops scene. They also interviewed Saint Ignatius Head Coach Cam Joyce, Joyce won the 2024 Division I OHSAA State Championship with the Wildcats. Joyce talks about the Saint Ignatius program, the potential to repeat as Division I state champions and how Damon Friery Damon Friery 6'9" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2025 State #97 Nation OH and Quinn Woidke Quinn Woidke 6'1" | CG Saint Ignatius | 2025 State OH became Division I commits.

Mike: Sam Stalzer Sam Stalzer 6'3" | SG Mariemont | 2026 State OH , Mariemont: the junior averaged 17.5 points and 3.5 steals per game in Mariemont's two wins over Blanchester and Indian Hill. I watched Stalzer with Shining Star Price 16 U during the grassroots season and was a fan, Mariemont won 19 games last season and could be a sneaky team to watch this winter.

Tj: Josh Byers Josh Byers 6'3" | SF Strongsville | 2025 State OH , Strongsville: Scored a game-high 32 points in a road win over Nordonia. Byers is one of Northeast Ohio's best available seniors.

Mike: Cincinnati Fairfield: The Indians started the season with a 19 point win over La Salle and got an overtime victory on Friday night thanks to a Gabe Clemmons Gabe Clemmons 6'10" | C Fairfield | 2025 State OH buzzer beater to knock off conference rival Oak Hills. Their senior trio of Michael Lewis, Daviawne Crim Daviawne Crim 6'2" | CG Cincinnati Fairfield | 2025 State OH and Gabe Clemmons Gabe Clemmons 6'10" | C Fairfield | 2025 State OH have been fantastic to start the season, averaging 21, 15 and 13 PPG respectively. Clemmons is also averaging 9.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as well.

Tj: Alliance: Shout out to Coach Chet Harper and the Alliance Aviators for going 3-0 last week, picking up wins over GlenOak, Northwest, and Salem. Junior JR Jackson scored 30 points in a comeback win over Northwest and his 18 points (12 in the 1st Q) helped his team pick up a quality win in their opening week.

Mike

Division 1: Collin O'Connor (Centerville, Western Reserve, Stony Brook) O'Connor won CAA freshman of the week for a second time this season after scoring 13 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists Vs Air Force.

Small College: Ayden Carter (Fremont Ross, Walsh) I attended the overtime thriller between Walsh and Cedarville where Carter scored 19 points on 8/13 from the field. Carter also scored 17 points in a loss to Findlay later in the week. Local product Zack Oddo also has been a standout for the Cavaliers

Tj

Division 1: Chase Walker (Columbus St Charles, Illinois State) - 22 points (7/13 FG) + 11 rebounds in a win over Pacific. Had 16 points (8/10 FG) + 6 rebounds in a OT loss to Belmont. Averaging 14PPG + 6.6RPG and is making the “sophomore jump”. 

Small College = Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian, Cedarville) - Has started all 8 games thus far as a freshman and is averaging a second best 15PPG on 56/40/71 splits. Also pulling down a team-high 6.3RPG.