2023 Game Analysis – Fri. December 1
Friday: Dec. 1
5:30 Crispus Attucks (IN) vs Withrow
Withrow is coming off a 16-6 year and Coach Berdo Allen is looking to bring the Tigers back to their glory days in the Cincinnati Metro Conference. The Tigers feature 6’6” sophomore Chris Henry Jr. who has verbally committed to play football at Ohio State. 6’6” senior Michael Johnson is receiving interest from D-1 colleges. Another 6’6” junior, Myles Rochelle, gives the Tigers great length. Freshman DeMarcus Henry is already receiving interest from Division I schools. Crispus Attucks is the home of Oscar Robertson. Coach Chris Hawkins’ squad finished 18-8 last season in one of the toughest regions in Indiana. Dezmon Briscoe, a 6’9” junior has offers from Iowa, Cincinnati, Butler, and other Division I schools. 6’2” senior guard Ron Rutland has committed to University of Indianapolis. Senior guard Mason Lewis is a Division II prospect. Juniors Chris Hurt and Julian Norwood are both college prospects. This will be an entertaining, athletic matchup between two evenly-matched teams. Both teams are making their first appearance in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic.
7:00 Newport (KY) vs Richmond Heights
This is a matchup of two teams whose sights are set on a state championship. It also features multiple Division I prospects. Richmond Heights has won 49 consecutive games, including the last two Division IV state championships in Ohio. Many observers feel Coach Quentin Rogers’ team is Ohio’s most talented regardless of Division. The Spartans feature 4 players already owning Division I offers. Five-star 6’8” sophomore T.J. Crumble, along with 6’4” junior guard Dorian Jones both own offers from Ohio State and Cincinnati along with multiple others. Junior guards De’Erick Barber and Demarris Winters both have numerous mid-major offers. Coach Rod Snapp’s Newport Wildcats were Ninth Region champs in Kentucky last year, and return the star power to win the whole show this year. Sophomore guard Taylen Kinney has multiple major Division I offers including Cincinnati, Xavier, Ohio State, and Louisville. 6’8” forward James Turner has multiple mid-major offers. Senior guards Jabari Covington and DeShaun Jackson are D-2 level players. 6’3” juniors DeShawn Anderson and Noah Silverton played key roles a year ago. 6’8” freshman Griffin Starks is a future Division I prospect. This game features elite talent! Richmond Heights lost the only time they played in the OVHC. Newport is making their first appearance and looking to end the Spartans long winning steak!
8:30 Mason vs Taft
The Taft Senators were 21-3 last season, and state champions in 2022. Coach DeMarco Bradley’s team is always athletic, tough, and aggressive. The Senators will have a bunch of new faces this year, and also a bunch of long, athletic bodies! Jordyn Buchanan, a 6’5” transfer from Pennsacola Florida, has a Division I offer from North Florida. Taft also got a pair of 6’7” local transfers in Damarian Jenkins from Hughes and Kris Smith from Mt. Healthy. 6’5” guard Demilian Walker also returns to give Taft some imposing size In Coach Adam Toohey’s inaugural season at Mason, the Comets were 16-8 in the always tough GMC. Toohey will look to seniors Matt DeBrosse, Ben Menker, Braden Greer, and Luke Kirklin to lead the Comets this year. The Comets will look to their defense and three-point shooting to try and offset the length and size of the Senators.