Mid-Week Preview

CPHR is calling these next two days “statement days” as all the games that we are previewing will have significant pull on not just team rankings in the poll but the outcome of league championships……

Monday

·         Winton Woods @ Taft: The young Warriors squad has a chance to turn some heads against a Taft team that has not played a game since they’re Christmas break trips that saw them lose four games in five days. Winton Woods has size down low that no team can match; but does their compilation of size give them a chance to shut down Adolphus Washington? CPHR has never seen anyone do it yet so we’re saying no. In Dwayne Stanford’s first game at Taft this year his athleticism could be a key as the Warrior’s big men are more bulky then mobile. The most interesting matchup will be talented sophomore PG Ronnie Rousseau of Winton Woods as he takes on veteran Taft PG Orlando Berry Jr; Ronnie will have to be at his best and most poised for the Warriors to have a chance.

o   Prediction: Taft

Tuesday

·         LaSalle @ Mason: The undefeated Lancers must travel far from home to face a one loss Comets team that plays the exact opposite style. Tempo will more then likely decide the outcome of this game. Mason doesn’t have great team speed and might struggle to guard LaSalle’s uptempo attack. While both teams are excellent half court defensive teams the size of Mason could really bother LaSalle down low. How effective Mason guards Tim Reale and JD Sprague are at breaking down the Lancer press could easily decide this one.

o   Prediction: Game comes down to the last two minutes where LaSalle finds a way to win.

·         Middletown @ Princeton: An emotional night for Coach Josh Andrews of Middletown, who at the end of last season resigned from Princeton to take the helm for the Middies. There is little doubt that Viking fans, and players, will have a little extra motivation in this one; a matchup between two very talented teams. Princeton has the size and depth to contain Vincent Edwards so the matchup that CPHR is most interested in is senior PG’s Geovonie McKnight of Middletown and Princeton’s Deion Isham, who is playing great basketball. If Isham can keep up with McKnight’s scoring then Princeton has a chance.

o   Prediction: It’s tough to think that a team with Princeton’s talent could be facing three league losses in a row; but that’s what CPHR thinks will go down as the Middies win a close game for Coach Andrews.

·         Ross @ Northwest

·         Walnut Hills @ Wilmington

·         Turpin @ Little Miami

·         Chaminade Julienne @ St. Xavier

·         Talawanda @ Winton Woods

Wednesday

·         Shroder @ West High

·         Woodward @ Withrow