Tournament Surprises Of Northwest OH
Listed below are teams and a few players that have stood out, and been a pleasant surprise thus far into the OHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament: Teams: Sylvania Northview – While this senior laden group had a strong showing in the Northern…
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Continue ReadingListed below are teams and a few players that have stood out, and been a pleasant surprise thus far into the OHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament:
Teams:
Sylvania Northview – While this senior laden group had a strong showing in the Northern Lakes League this season, they have really turned it on these past few weeks, landing them in a matchup with Toledo St. Johns in the District Semifinals. They will once again be underdogs, a position they are familiar with as they were considered the same in their previous two tournament games, a pair of wins over Findlay and Springfield.
Elida – After losing numerous guys that had played key roles for them in past seasons, not much was expected from this squad coming into the season, and for the better part of the season they struggled. They now find themselves in the District Semifinals, facing reigning state champion Defiance. In order to get their they defeated two teams who had previously defeated them earlier in the season in Lima Shawnee, and Lima Bath.
Bluffton – After blowing past a much lesser talented Carey team, Bluffton won a close one over a Coldwater team that has seen a lot of success this season and possessed one of the better post threats in the area.
Otsego – It seems silly to count out this program in the early stages of tournament play, as they always are a tough out year after year. After squeaking past Evergreen in the first round in a one point victory, Otsego got a big win over a higher ranked Eastwood team. They now face a very talented Ottawa Hills team in the District Semifinals.
Players:
’16 F Rico Stafford (Lima Senior) – The long, athletic forward has been a stud in the first two tournament games for the Spartans. Being all over the glass, grabbing rebounds on both ends, running the floor at will, and finishing around the rim with authority. The senior still remains available to a program at the next level, and is garnering plenty of JUCO attention.
’17 PG Derrick Rayford Jr. (Whitmer) – The junior point guard has done a great job beating defenders off of the dribble and getting teammates involved. He’s hitting the outside shot with more consistency and locking up opponents on the defensive end. Could finish with a bit more consistency once he gets to the rim, but has been playing well in Whitmer’s tournament run thus far.
’17 G TQ Belcher (Toledo Rogers) – The junior wing has been a stud in the past few weeks of the season, scoring the ball at a very high rate. He has carried that over into tournament play so far leading Rogers in the scoring category in their tournament win over a solid Rossford team.
Major Tournament Matchups This Week:
(#1) Lima Senior vs. Toledo Whitmer (#3)
(#2) Upper Sandusky vs. Ottawa-Glandorf (#3)
(#2) Toledo Rogers vs. Wauseon (#3)
(#4) Toledo Central Catholic vs. Napoleon (#1)
(#1) Swanton vs. Genoa (#5)
(#3) Fort Recovery vs. Lima Perry (#1)