Greater Miami Conference Preview
It’s the day of November which could only mean one thing. The start of the regular season is finally here!! With November 30th on the calendar, we continue our conference previews with a look at The Greater Miami Conference.
- What will it take for Oak Hills to repeat?
It will be a season of transition for the Highlanders, as they lose there two top scorers and a host of others from a team that finished with a 15-1 conference record. Coach Mike Price team will have to get all-league type contributions from a host of new varsity players if a second straight conference title is in the cards.
- Who are the biggest challengers to Oak Hills?
The Princeton Vikings are among the most talented teams in the Cincinnati area. They have the number one ranked player in the state, senior Darius Bazley, along with one two other very talented seniors in Darweshi Hunter (PHO #74 C/O 2018) and Dominic Pierce (PHO #101 C/O 2018). Then you add in the fact that their roster includes some of the best class of 2020 players in the state (Aaron Ward #30, Darrion Henry #54, etc.) this team is as deep as they come in Cincinnati.
- Who are the dark horse teams?
Both Mason and Lakota East are teams that could have say-so’s in who wins the conference title. The Comets will rely on seniors Noah Pedelty (PHO #85 C/O 2018) and Tanner Knue (PHO #141 C/O 2018) this season to lead the charge. Pedelty’s versatility and ability to affect the game in ways beside scoring will be key for Mason. For Lakota East it’s all about senior scorer Jarrett Cox (#42 PHO C/O 2018). The Fairmont State commit is one of the better scorers in the city (18.4ppg in 2016-17) and with him on the court his team will have a chance in every ballgame. Also watch for senior Jackson See, one of the underrated shooters in the city.
- Who will lead the league in scoring?
The top two scorers from last season, Jarrett Cox and Darweshi Hunter, both are back and will be right there when it is all said and done. But my choice is Mr. Bazley. Just Google his name and numerous highlight mixtapes will pop up of him absolutely destroying the competition. His ability score off the dribble, in the post makes him so dangerous. And we did not even mention the fact that he is a very improved jump shooter. Because of these skills will make him the leading scorer in the conference.
- Who will lead the league in double-doubles?
Once again, we are going with the obvious choice in this category in Mr. Bazley. There is no need to go much further with this one, so on to question number six.
- Who will win league player of the year?
Well, I think we know who I am going with for this one. And while there will be other worthy candidates Noah Pedelty, Jarrett Cox and Darweshi Hunter to name a few, I am going with the best player in the state Darius Bazley.
- Who are the league’s breakout candidates?
In a league full of talent, I am going to go with junior D’Marco Howard from Hamilton High School. Howard is a talented scorer who does his best work off the dribble but can shoot the ball with range as well. He is also a player who is not afraid to use his mid-range game as well.
- Who made our pre-season all-league first team?
G- Jarrett Cox, Lakota East
G- Darweshi Hunter, Princeton
G/W- Noah Pedelty, Mason
F- Dominic Pierce, Princeton
F- Darius Bazley, Princeton
G- D’Marco Howard, Howard
G- Tanner Knue, Mason
- Predicted order to finish
- Princeton
- Mason
- Lakota East
- Hamilton
- Oak Hills
- Sycamore
- Middletown
- Fairfield
- Colerain
- Lakota West