Saturday Scrimmage Report

Most of Cincinnati's teams started the fall scrimmage season over the weekend and CPHR was able to take in action at two locations Saturday. The competition was intense and we were reminded just how much depth there is in the city as Taft, Princeton, Withrow, and Lakota West all showed versatile lineups that were loaded with talent.....

• Taft @ Princeton
• Taft- Playing without an injured Dwayne Stanford and without Adolphus Washington (official visit to UC for football) the Senators relied heavily on their three other returning guys; Orlando Berry Jr, Jermaine Freeman, and Jalean Lowe. The Senators played several new varsity players and were effective in their pressure defense, winning 4 out 6 periods against Princeton (and defeating the Vikings in total score). The Senator offense relied on the abilities of Berry and Freeman to get the ball downcourt in a hurry and score it or kick to Jalean Lowe who, along with senior guards Ra'saan Jackson and Fred Cannaday, his several three pointers. 
• Princeton- The Vikings should be able to overwhelm most teams with their depth, athleticism, and pressuring style of play. Unfortunately for them today they played Taft, who is not most teams. The Senators turned the tables on the Vikings and won the battle of tempo and pressure, forcing Princeton in too way too many turnovers. The Vikings did show that they belong in the conversation for best D1 team in the city as Deion Isham and Malcolm Smith enjoyed solid scoring days another 10 players providing sparks in their roles. 

• Group Scrimmage @ Lakota West
• Lakota West- Before the scrimmage everyone knew that Monty Boykins, Ali Barnes, and Tyler Williams could play. What fans did not know is that West is a physical, deep, athletic, and much improved team from last year that can really push the tempo of a game. Boykins has taken his offensive game to a whole new level and was relentless attacking the rim while several of his teammates knocked down shots. Playing fullcourt without traditional big men the Firebirds showed that this year their offense can match their defense in a program known for intensity. 
• Withrow- Going into today CPHR was torn as to if Withrow, Princeton, or Moeller was the top D1 team in Cincinnati pre-season. After today, although we haven't seen Moeller, it's tough to not pick Withrow as they dominated teams with their depth and size. Devin Williams scored at will in the post, along with senior Rozelle Nix, and their group of guards did a great job feeding the big men all day long. Senior forwards Erron Nichols and Tyler Jordan also showed that they will be playing huge roles this year as they led Withrow in scoring at times while providing toughness, energy, and leadership.
• Trotwood Madison, Loveland, Reading, and Talawanda also participated.

• Rumblings from around the city........
• Word is that Moeller handily defeated Springboro yesterday in their scrimmage.
• Roger Bacon is said to have a nice core of young talent, in particular the development of sophomore wing Carlas Jackson. Bacon defeated Northwest and Hughes in today.
• West High and Covington Catholic (KY) split games today in a tri-scrimmage.
• Winton Woods defeated Badin