Conference Previews: MVC, FAVC, CHL

The last of our conference previews takes a look at three other leagues that have some serious talent in it. All three of these leagues have talents that can take down D1 teams on any given night.

Miami Valley Conference

Summit's Milt Davis

While the top of this league might not be as deep as other leagues, the MVC does have some good ballplayers in it. Super sophomores Kevin Johnson of Summit and Dontonio Wingfield Jr. of Lockland lead a talented group of young players this year.

1. Summit Country Day: Coach Bradley has a lot of talent to work with in his first year. It starts with Kevin Johnson (3^rd in our '13 rankings) who has lots of potential as a scoring guard with great athleticism. Summit is a very young team with sophomore guard Milton Davis, freshman guard Antonio Woods, and freshman forward Mike Barwick all looking to see significant time. Junior wing Tommy Kreyenhagen returns for his third year as a starter and yet again brings his deep shooting range to a Silver Knights team that should be able to find him spotting up. Inside Summit has senior power forwards Ryan Glass, a versatile player known for defense, and Jack Gustafson who is more of a scorer. Look for juniors Matt Fry and Holdy Hertzel to see time down low as more traditional big men.

• 

  Kevin Johnson the top '13 PG

  Key Players: This is one of the most talented teams Summit has ever had.
  • Kevin Johnson- Sophomore PG
  • Antonio Woods- Freshman PG
  • Milton Davis- Sophomore SG
  • Tommy Kreyenhagen – Junior SG
• Bottom Line: Summit has a great combination of size, athleticism, depth, talent, and experience. This team has a chance to be special. Johnson is an emerging prospect to keep a very close eye on and Kreyenhagen is a proven star in the MVC.

2. Lockland: In what has become an annual tradition at Lockland, they brought in a major transfer when Dontonio Wingfield Jr. (ranked in the top 5 of the '13 rankings) came over from CCD. Wingfield is one of the most skilled players in the state with his smooth slashing game. He averaged almost 20 ppg last year and don't expect anything different this season. Lockland also has another talented sophomore in Dylan Wedlock, a wing with varsity experience. Big man Avery Barnes returns for his junior year and should bring defense and rebounding to the post. Barnes had a nice year last year and is one to watch this season. At the point Mike Beasley takes over and is said to have nice quickness in the full court.

• 

  DJ Wingfield should lead the MVC in scoring

  Key Players: Wingfield will keep them near the top of the standings 
  • Dontonio Wingfield Jr. - Sophomore SG
  • Dylan Wedlock – Sophomore SF
• Bottom Line: Lockland might not have as much talent as in year's past but under Coach Andrews they have always been successful. Don't expect much to change with Wingfield attacking the basket.

3. Clark Montessori: Senior scoring wing Alphonso Upshaw will yet again lead a Clark team that is better then most fans realize. Upshaw has been putting points up for years, that won't change this year. Big men Paul Woodson and CJ Briggerman return and both of these players have some athleticism on the inside. Woodson is a very intriguing prospect who has the ability to play the wing. Junior Max Hassel is a shifty guard that can score and pass for The Cougars.

4. North College Hill: The Trojans are feeling the blow of losing the talented Lowe brothers to Taft. They do return a trio of seniors with talent and experience. Donald Bush is a tough and quick point guard that can make plays, Vince Edwards and Greg Sevilla are forwards with enough versatility to create mismatches.

Fort Ancient Valley Conference

Semaj is a stud at
Winton Woods

Not a league that is necessarily known for producing elite players (expect for Winton Woods), the FAVC always seems to have a few studs. One prospect to keep an eye is Anderson sophomore power forward Joe Cossins who is skilled and still growing at 6'8. This league is really wide open this year; lets take a look at who the three top teams might be: 

1. Winton Woods: No team in the city lost more talent to graduation then Winton Woods who lost Allen Payne (Auburn), Dominique Brown (Louisville football), and Nate Mason. They still have at least one stud in senior point guard Semaj Christon; Semaj is a major scoring talent that is as good as any guard in the city. Expect big things from him and senior guard Dennis Thomas who returns from a solid junior campaign. A guy to keep an eye on at WW is junior post Zach McKorkle who has the athleticism and skill to be a special player this year.
   
   
2. Northwest: Not traditionally known as a powerhouse, that could start to change this year at NW. Senior SG Melvin Hunter can score with anyone out there and will lead the team again this year as they try to take the league title. Expect big things out of versatile sophomore guard Ramar Hairston who can score and is a great defender. Juniors Quez Evans and Chaz Gwinn as well as sophomore post Kevin Worsham are players to keep an eye on up at NW.

   

   Walnut Hill's Sterling Gilmore

   

   Ramar Hairston of NW
   

   
   
3. 

   Alex McGlothin- Hopefully
   can make it back this year

   Walnut Hills: The Eagles have one of the best players in the city in senior wing Alex McGlothin; unfortunately, he is out for possibly the season with an injury. Without McGlothin, Coach Moman will have to rely on two young guards with serious game; these guards are undersized but quick Kyree Burton who is a great passer, and Sterling Gilmore a scorer who can set up teammates and really competes. Big man Benson Browne returns inside and is complimented nicely by sophomore Isiah Johnson. The Eagles are always near the top of the standings and if McGlothin can find a way on the court they will be favorites to take the league title. 

Cincinnati Hills League:

No one wants to agree on who the pre-season favorite is this year. There might not be any elite teams but several teams are capable of playing with the city's top teams.

1. Madeira: Lot of young talent, solid program that doesn't get enough credit.

2. Wyoming: As usual has the most talent in the league.

3. Mariemont: Emerging program that could have a breakout year.

4. Indian Hill: Great program, lost a lot, but could finish at the top without surprising anyone.

5. Reading: Team that is poised to have a breakout year.

6. Finneytown: Lot of returning talent this year, coach's new system might determine record.