2023 Game Analysis: Sat. December 2
Saturday: Dec. 2
1:00 p.m. Miami East vs Chaminade Julienne
Miami East was 21-3 a year ago while winning the Three Rivers Conference championship. CJ was 26-3 including a trip to the Final Four in Division II along with a GCL Coed championship. Miami East returns the stars from that team. 6’3” guard Wes Ennis, son of former Penn State football star Curtis Ennis, poured in 22 ppg last year. Fellow senior guard Jacob Roeth, the Coach’s son, scored 18 per game. The Washingtons are gone at CJ. George Washington III is a freshman at Michigan. Little brother B.B. and J.J. moved back to Kentucky. But, the Eagles are noted for their tenacious man-to-man defense which hasn’t gone anywhere! Seniors Devin Rakestraw, T.J. Donelly-Tomblin, Cal Weatherspoons, and Bryce Johnson along with junior David Cartwright return for the Eagles. This is the type of matchup that always entertains at the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic; a high-level lower division school (Miami East) taking on a high-level larger division team (CJ).
2:45 Erlanger Lloyd (KY) vs Sycamore
This game features perhaps the most intriguing individual matchup of the entire event. Sycamore’s 6’10” senior Raleigh Burgess has committed to play for Matt Painter’s Purdue Boilermakers. Lloyd’s 6’8” junior E.J. Walker has over 26 Division I offers including Ohio State, Xavier, and Dayton. Both players have a high-level all-around skill set which will be on display. Sycamore finished 17-7 last season despite losing Burgess to a season-ending injury 11 games in. Guard Tariq Kimbrough also returns for the Aves. Lloyd was 19-9 including a regional semifinal loss to fellow OVHC participant Newport. Isaiah Sebastian, Elijah Collins, and Anthony Blaackar all started last season. The teams are evenly matched, and the stars will be trying to make a statement against another star player.
4:30 St. Xavier vs Lakota East
Coach Ryan Fleming will be making his debut as Coach of the Bombers. He has a pair of outstanding juniors to help him get started. Leading scorer Donovan Waleskowski returns. The 6’5” junior is being courted by Division I schools. Fellow junior, 6’9” forward Jacob Wassler is also drawing interest from Division I colleges. 6’5” junior Gordy Sulfsted, a Division I football prospect, also returns giving the Bombers an imposing front line. Coach Clint Adkins’ will be leaning on senior point guard Trey Perry to lead the Thunderhawks. The 6’0” senior has several MAC offers along with a Furman offer. Seniors Derek Jackson and Tyler Bachman both logged major minutes last season. This game will feature two well-coached teams who play in extremely tough conferences. It will be a war!
6:15 Alter vs Hilliard Bradley
If you like high level basketball don’t miss this one! The game features two of the best coaches in the business in Eric Coulter and Brett Norris, and each team has multiple D-1 prospects. This game will have a Final Four type feeling! Alter got a big boost this summer when R.J. Greer enrolled. The 6’3” junior has offers from UC, Xavier, Michigan and numerous others. Fellow junior Brady Conner, a 6’6” guard, has an offer from Marshall. Charlie Uhl, a 6’9” junior is getting D-I interest, and 6’9” junior Matt Lunne gives the Knights great length. And, for a cherry on top, senior point guard Gavin Leen returns to run the show. For Bradley, the coach’s son, 6’3” senior guard Cade Norris, has committed to Illinois State. 6’5” sophomore Gavin Lightning, a transfer from Bowling Green, KY, and 6’1” freshman Ben Mirgon both already hold D-1 offers. Senior sharpshooting guard Jeb Bischoff is a three-year starter. Either of these teams is capable of cutting down nets in March. Both will be facing an opponent that will test them in all areas!
8:00 Kings vs Preble Shawnee
Kings and Preble Shawnee both had outstanding seasons a year ago as the Knights were 18-6, while the Arrows were 23-4 advancing to the regional finals in D-III. Both teams return star players from those squads as they look to go even higher this year. Kings’ 6’3” junior guard Tommy Clark has offers from Radford and Southeast Missouri State and interest from numerous others. Shawnee’s 6’4” senior guard Mason Shrout has committed to Purdue Fort Wayne. The Knights also return leading scorer Talan Noyes and guard Myles Baker. Both are D-2 prospects. Nate Lyman and Kato Meissner are both D-1 football recruits who bring athleticism and toughness to the Knights. 6’8” Logan Hawley, who is being recruited at the D-2 level, gives Preble Shawnee a strong inside presence to go along with Shrout. Isaac Blankenship and Brayden Robinette also are returning starters for Shawnee. Both teams like to play fast! Expect a high scoring, up-tempo, entertaining game.