Lima Mega Scrimmage Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best events each November in Ohio is the Lima Mega Scrimmage and it is back for another year with 17 teams making the trip to 1 Spartan Way. In this article we'll take a look at the teams in the event and what players to watch out for on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lima Sr</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hosts are on top of the team page when you view the schedule with loads of talent this season. The Spartans have maybe the deepest guard rotation in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='2140877' first='Shawn' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='2376402' first='Willie' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='2347406' first='Noah' last='Simpson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1705957' first='Amari' last='Addy'] and Lima Central Catholic 2028 transfers Azaad Burton and [player_tooltip player_id='2532141' first='Jeffrey' last='Williams III']. The Spartans will be a must watch team in Ohio this winter and this will be the first marquee event they'll play in together at their home gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Akron STVM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team I saw at the Coach Burns Mega Scrimmage, I was very impressed with the growth [player_tooltip player_id='2719973' first='Leigh' last='Cotton'] has made since last season. Always one of the top teams from the Akron/Canton area, the Irish have a talented team with a good mix of seniors and young talent this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakota West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potentially the top team in the state regardless of division, Lakota West has a team that combines top Division I talent with tough small college prospects who do what it takes to win. Excited to catch this group for the first time this fall on Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Delphos St John's</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My number 1 ranked team in Division VII, the Blue Jays are led by Furman signee [player_tooltip player_id='1827696' first='Cameron' last='Elwer']. Add in brothers Andrew and [player_tooltip player_id='2882202' first='Easton' last='Elwer'] and some disciplined role guys and Delphos St John's should be able to hang with most of the bigger schools they'll face on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids Northview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usually one of the better teams in Michigan, Grand Rapids Northview takes the ride down to Lima to see how they stack up with some top Ohio talent. Their game against Lima Senior is circled on my schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jonathan Alder</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A preseason top 10 team in Division IV, Jonathan Alder has a winning tradition and a well-established culture of tough defense and prolific perimeter shooting. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='2530669' first='Danny' last='Bentley'] to take a big step after getting quality varsity experience as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toledo St John's</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradley signee [player_tooltip player_id='1827695' first='Race' last='Kowalczyk'] leads the Titans who have a unique mix of talent on their roster. With size at multiple frontcourt positions and talented scoring guards, there's plenty of different ways Toledo St John's can beat teams this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Westland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A program on the rise thanks to some transfers the past few years, [player_tooltip player_id='2294839' first='Antwon' last='Pollard'] from Harvest Prep is a key addition this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pickerington Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team I got to see at a handful of team camps in June, Pickerington Central is gaining quality experience for a team should be expected to turn the corner this winter. Led by star junior [player_tooltip player_id='2288381' first='Landon' last='Evans'], the Tigers have a chance to return to the top of central Ohio hoops this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cincinnati Princeton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I loved watching Princeton in June and despite losing Leshawn Hill to transfer back to Hughes, I still think the Vikings are one of the most talented teams in greater Cincinnati. Findlay commit Rognny Santiago-Lugo is a key name to watch as a senior this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cincinnati Moeller</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders have incredible depth in their 2028 and 2029 class and it'll be interesting to see which players get the opportunity to shine this winter. They'll be without [player_tooltip player_id='2890898' first='Jayden' last='Davis'] for this scrimmage because the football team is pushing for a state title run right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hawken</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got to see the Hawks a couple of times at the Coach Burns Scrimmage last weekend and their guard talent is among the best in Division III. Getting more quality opposition in scrimmages could help Hawken hit the ground running when the season officially starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Centerville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elks have a bit of a new look team this season with [player_tooltip player_id='2712644' first='Trey' last='Sam'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2712642' first='Sam' last='Keely'] as the main returners from last season. Transfer point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125764' first='Ty' last='Rohrer'] is a key addition to the Elks program as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Huber Heights Wayne</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wayne train keeps rolling along at the guard position as 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2737006' first='Dontay' last='Chivers'] was impressive when I saw the Warriors in June. Hoping to find some more new names this weekend from their team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">La Lumiere</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Lumiere brings a talented group from Indiana to compete with some top Ohio high school programs including Reynoldsburg and Huber Heights Wayne.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reynoldsburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by a pair of Ohio University commits in [player_tooltip player_id='1705956' first='Xavier' last='McKinney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1705958' first='Jorden' last='Bowens'], Reynoldsburg is once again one of the most talented teams in central Ohio this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dayton Dunbar</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top programs from Dayton, I always love how Dayton Dunbar is never afraid to play anybody during scrimmage season or the regular season. With a new look team this season, we'll see how Dunbar stacks up this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->