Miami Valley Conference (MVC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVC fans know every season there's at least one team that surprises everyone come tournament time. Last season it was Roger Bacon, who made a run to the Regional Semifinals before falling to a good Woodward team. The run continued a seemingly annual tradition of success in Division II and Division III from this conference. While we don't know who that will be just yet, the conference will certainly be competitive through the postseason and rear it's head as to this year's favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contenders</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Summit Country Day</em></strong>- The Knights weren't the most impressive team at times last year and weren't even in the top 2 of the Scarlet division a year ago. They lose a lot of their production in Keenan Schomburger. Fortunately, the Knights have some experience returning in senior <strong>Pat McHugh</strong> and junior <strong>Chris Davis</strong>. McHugh has size at 6'7 and will likely be a mismatch problem for multiple teams. Summit has a history of being one of the stingier teams in the Division III pool. Looking to this year, they certainly have a chance to challenge with Taft moving up and should be able to make at least a District Final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Predicted Finish</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Gray Division</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <em><strong>Cincinnati Christian</strong></em>- Don't lose a ton from an okay team. Lack that ”go-to guy” to be the overwhelming favorite</li><li>2. <strong><em>Seven Hills</em></strong>- Promising season last year and return one of the top guys in the division in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1203830' first='Jaden' last='Sims']</strong> (Sr).</li><li>3. <strong><em>Cincinnati Country Day</em></strong>- Division champs a year ago and undefeated in the conference. Very senior heavy though and graduate a lot of guys form that team.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Miami Valley Christian</em></strong>- Could jump CCD at #3 as they return their best guy in <strong>Ben Merrill</strong> (Sr). One of the smaller schools in the division.</li><li>5. <strong><em>New Miami</em></strong>- Winners of only 1 game last year, but have one of the best rising young players in the conference in <strong>Brayden Robinette</strong> (So). Could go through more growing pains but should be improved.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Lockland</em></strong>- Average year last year and not returning enough to be in the running.</li><li>7. <strong><em>St. Bernard</em></strong>- Same boat as Lockland but only won 4 games last year.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Scarlet Division</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Summit Country Day</em></strong>- Knights have the coaching and tradition on their side, as well as the right returning players to claim the divisional title.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Roger Bacon</em></strong>- District Champions a year ago, but now without their top 3 scorers from that team. <strong>Jesse Eubanks</strong> (So) was promising in the tournament run.</li><li>3. <strong><em>CHCA</em></strong>- Last year's divisional champions lose 2 of their top 3 from that group with <strong>Weston Roberts</strong> (Sr) being the return man. Move up to Division II which should be a new ballgame for them in postseason.</li><li>4. <strong><em>North College Hill</em></strong>- Should be better than last year with the return of <strong>Tejay Bouldin</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Tayvon Smith</strong> (So). Still lack the high end talent to overpower the top teams in the division.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Purcell Marian</em></strong>- Moving upwards after struggling mightily for a few years. Lose their top 4 production guys and must rebuild.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Clark Montessori</em></strong>- Return <strong>Daven Gibson</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Jakari Parker</strong> (Jr) from a 4 win team. Have to be better than last year. </li><li>7. <strong><em>Norwood</em></strong>- Move down from Division II but I don't know who they have back that gives them a big chance of moving up in the standings.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->