JB's Friday Nights Picks

Middletown junior combo forward
 Vincent Edwards

Okay hoop fans we are in the second week of High School Sports and we have some good match-ups this week.  I went 2-1 (4-2 overall) Tuesday and I'm still looking to get my first sweep.  CPHR and the fans are ready, so here you go! 

  

Hughes at Taft

 

Hughes (1-0) comes into the Senators Home Court looking to stay undefeated.  The Big Red are coming off a thumping of the Woodward Bulldogs 70-46.  Hughes is led by Senior G Angel Rivera who opened up with a double-double (18points and 11 assists) looks to continue to put up some numbers and get some help from Senior G Terry Cook, Junior's Kevin Daniels and Dwight Nared.  Look for the transfer Junior F Derrick Long to get on track.  The Big Red will have to deal with a lot of pressure and be patient on offense to upset the Senators. Coach Mitchell and the Senators look to bounce back after going 2-1 last week with an impressive opening night victory over Aiken 67-58, then Saturday they have a tough loss at Covington Catholic 66-47, and a good victory over Lexington Dunbar.  Two victories in 3 days, is it too much for the Senators.  I would think not as "Mitch" year end and out has one of the best conditioned teams.  Taft looks for Kenny Kaufman and Marcus Scott to pick up most of the scoring load.  Dictating the tempo will be the name of the game as they look to score quick and often, whether it's in the open court or off of pressure.  This will be a good one for the books.

 

Pick-Taft Coach Mitchell just keep finding ways to keep that in-state record one to watch. 75-68

  

Aiken at Winton Woods

Winton Woods look to bounce back after a defeat against Roger Bacon Tuesday 68-56.  Coach Gillespie knows what he has in Ronnie Rousseau, Kwan Cheatham, Trent Donald, Latrell Tidwell and Martin Jones.  It's time for it to show up on the floor. The Warriors have been in some great practices this week and are reaady to get after it.  The Falcons and Coach Leon Ellison have some obstacles to climb too.  Injuries and a suspension leave them short-handed for this one but don't count them out.  Austin Grimes and Kameron Moore should pick up most of the slack. Demontae Jones and Sophomore's Wesley Kennedy and Damon Harris are getting experience as we speak.  All good teams tripumph over adversity.

 

Pick- Winton Woods 80-65. Aiken healthy will be a force to be rekoned with.

 

Middletown at Lakota West

 

Middletown (0-1) and Coach Andrews comes in to the Thunderbirds looking to overcome a 66-61 defeat to Beavercreek in the opener.  Junior Vincent Edwards leads the Middies after opening up with 24 points and 15 rebounds.  Jalin Marshall chipped in with 20.  The Middies need contributions from Chance Sorrell, Kobie Johnson, Khylan Jackson and Ryan Smith if they look to get a victory.  The Thunderbirds look to the Big Three (Tyler Williams, Monty Boykins, Ali, Barnes), Zach MooYoung and Tyler Bowling.   They have as much talent as any in the state this is no new battle to the league.  Everyone knows the rivalry now they have to play as their GMC League play opens.

 

Pick- Lakota West. Edwards will score, but too much West, led by Boykins. 85-65.