2024 Ohio Valley Hoops Classic Game by Game Preview
Lakota East vs Goshen
Coach Clint Adkins’ Thunderhawks have become an annual force in Southwest Ohio. This year’s team will be inexperienced, but they have a proven star and lots of athleticism. Senior guard Trey Perry led the GMC in scoring last year with over 22 a game. He is committed to play at Miami of Ohio next year. Junior P.J. McFarland is the only other experienced player. The 6’6” post has multiple D-1 football offers. Coach Miles Burton’s Goshen Warriors are coming off the schools’ best ever season 20-2, including a perfect 10-0 in the SBC conference. 6’9” junior Tyler Owens, who is receiving some D-1 interest will be a force inside. Sophomore Braylon Settelmayer is an exceptional point guard. His bother, Carter, is a junior who has two years starting experience. Freshman Graham Roark brings scoring potential and sophomore Karson Alderman led the SBC in field goal percentage a year ago.
Loveland vs Preble Shawnee
The Preble Shawnee Arrows are in the midst of a great run. They have won back-to-back conference and district championships. Last year’s team finished 24-4 and advanced to the state Final Four. Gone from the squad is star Mason Shrout. Seniors Isaac Blankenship and Braydon Robinette, along with junior Brody Morton are all multi-year starters who will lead the way for first year coach Ryan Robinson. The Loveland Tigers were 12-11 in the tough Eastern Ohio League. Junior Chase Martin was a double figure scorer a year ago. Senior Will Bertke was a starter and senior Will Bertoli logged major minutes. The game should be tightly contested matchup!
St. X vs Fairmont
In Ryan Fleming’s first year at St. X his Bombers finished 16-7. The Bombers return some serious size to this year’s team. 6’11” senior Jacob Wassler has committed to Bellarmine University. 6’5” senior Donovan Waleskowski is receiving D-1 interest from the military academies. 6’6” Gordy Sulfsted has committed to Notre Dame in football. 6’6” junior Kobe Clapper has football offers from Ohio State, Michigan and others. The Firebirds finished 15-10 a year ago, including a big win over Centerville. Fairmont returns two exceptional guards in Evan Gentile (16ppg) and Brock Baker (11ppg). Kenny Molz’ teams are noted for tenacious defense which gives them a chance in any game.
Colonial (Orlando) vs Sycamore
Colonial High School will become the first team from Florida to participate in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic when they take on the Sycamore Aviators. Colonial is coached by Cincinnati native and longtime Cincinnati State University coach Gary McDaniel. Coach Mac has won over 500 games in his career. Silas Williams leads the Grenadiers attack. The 6’2” senior has an offer from Coastal Carolina. Guard Randy Estevez is being recruited at the D-2 level. 6’7 Cody Ingram and 6’6” Deangelo Wilson give Colonial good size inside. Sycamore star Raleigh Burgess is now playing for the Purdue Boilermakers. But Coach Tim Austing’s squad returns 6’7” senior Samuel Imade who is receiving D-1 college interest. Guard Tariq Kimbrough is a four-year varsity player. Junior Ryan Lynn played varsity last year as well. It should be an entertaining game as the Aviators try to ruin Coach McDaniel’s homecoming.
Kettering Alter vs Richmond Heights
This could be the marque game of the event as it features two defending state champs. In fact, Richmond Heights will be attempting to make history by becoming the first ever Ohio team to win four consecutive state championships. To add to the excitement of this matchup, both teams return the key components of last year’s championship seasons. Kettering Alter will be led by 6’4” senior R.J. Greer, who is committed to North Carolina State. 6’6” senior Brady Conner has committed to play for the Wright State Raiders next season. Seniors Charlie Uhl (6’7), and Matt Lunne (6’8”) will play some level of college ball and they give Coach Eric Coulter’s team great length. Richmond Heights is led by 6’4” Ohio State commit Dorian Jones. 5’11” senior guard DeErick Barber has committed to Texas El-Paso, while 6’2” senior guard Demarris Winters will play at Rio Grande Valley. Two state champions with at least five D-1 players on the court make the game a must see, and the fact that both teams play an up-tempo style makes it even more fun to watch!!
Mason vs Little Miami
The Comets and Panthers were long time rivals in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference. But, they haven’t met on the hardwood in over 20 years. Panthers Coach Scott Kerr served several years as an assistant at Mason, so no doubt he’ll have the Panthers motivated. Little Miami will rely heavily on 6’7” senior Cater Sellers who is committed to Illinois State for baseball. Jackson Reynolds and Carter Istnick also started for the 17-8 Panthers last season, while Ian Arthur played in all 25 games. Adam Toohey’s Comets will be young. Senior Dylan Ringwald and junior Braylon Payton both logged significant minutes last year and will be counted on to lead the team. 6’3” sophomore Max Cherpalin has a chance to be extremely good. It should be a close, competitive game between two old foes!
Hilliard Bradley vs Wyoming
Coach Brett Norris is one of Ohio’s most highly regarded coaches. His Bradley teams are always one of the best in Central Ohio and are noted for their excellent defense and offensive execution. This year’s team is young, but sophomore Ben Mirgon already has an offer from Kent State. Garrett Sever also started on last year’s team. Wyoming returns its entire team from last year’s 24-4 season which included a District Championship and a Cincinnati Hills League Championship. Kellen Wiley (CHL POY) scored 15 a game last season. Fellow guards Deven Evans and Darrin Gray averaged 14 and 10. The Cowboys are Division 4 this season which offers them a greater tournament opportunity. It will be an early test against the D-1 Jaguars.
Aiken vs Beavercreek
These two teams are coming off outstanding seasons last year and have the star power to do more this year. Aiken, 16-7 a year ago, returns an outstanding senior backcourt duo. Jaiden Arnold and James Burnett both averaged 17ppg last season, and Arnold is committed to Purdue Fort Wayne. 6’6” senior Tayvon Smith gives the Falcons strong presence inside. For Beavercreek, Isaiah Micheal Williams poured in 19 points per game last season. The 6’3” senior, who is the coach’s son, was also selected as the District 15 player of the year. 6’5” senior Kaden Ellerbe tossed in 14 per game last season, and 6’2” junior point guard Owen Roether also returns. This will be another high octane, entertaining game.
Summit Country Day vs Harvest Prep
This game has potential to be one of the most entertaining of the entire event. Harvest Prep was state runner-up last year and return some key pieces as they look to make another run. Summit has some outstanding young talent and have their sights set on a final four also. Former UC Bearcat, Kevin Johnson, is the head man at Summit, and he was on a state championship team there in 2012. Summit posted a 17-8 record in Johnson’s first year back at his alma-mater last season. They return their top four players from that squad, Cayleb Walters, LJ Stocks, Tim Martin, and Brandon Wolujewicz, with Walters and Stocks both receiving college interest. But, the most intriguing piece may be 6’5” freshman Max Joiner who is a potential high major recruit. Harvest Prep is a perennial small school power having won a state title in 2019. Two year starting point guard Brandy Roddy returns to lead the Crusaders. He is joined by 6’4” senior Khalil Daniels, and 6’4” junior Epharim Campbell. All three are potential college players. Both teams like to play an up-tempo game. Combine that with the talent and athleticism, and this one could be fun!
Moeller vs Chaminade Julienne
This is a battle of former GCL foes with rich basketball traditions. The Crusaders return leading scorer Alex Kazanecki from a 26-2 regional final team. The 6’4” sharpshooter scored 12.9 per game last year in being named GCL player of the year.. He is joined by 6’9” Kingston Land, who is committed to Indiana State, along with Brady Franz a 6’6’ senior committed to D-2 Coker University. Chaminade will be inexperienced, but the Eagles are noted for their tenacious defense which travels well. David Cartwright is the most experienced player returning. The 6’2” senior averaged over nine per game last year, as well as being a great defender. The Crusaders will have a decided size advantage in this game, but Chaminade will not be intimidated.
CHCA-Tri Village
Former Princeton High School and Taylor University coach, Josh Andrews, returns to the Cincinnati area to take the reins at CHCA. He inherits a team that finished 16-8 last season and welcomes back its top three scorers. 6’3” guard Luke Sanders was one of the leading scorers in the area as he poured in 25 per game last season. 6’5” Griffin Richard ad 6’1” Jackson Woods were also in double digits with 11, and 10 per game respectively. Safe to the say the Eagles are expecting big things this year! They’ll get an early test from the Tri-Village Patriots. Over the past 17 years, Coach Josh Sagester’s teams have averaged 19 wins a season including a 30 – 0 state championship in 2015, plus two other Final Four appearances. Coming off a 24-3 seaosn, including a District Championship, the Patroits will be young this year, but talented. Leading the way is the Coach’s son, Trey. The younger Sagester averaged 21 per game last year in being named a first-team all-stater. He is getting interest from D-1 schools. 6’3” junior Noah Finkbine, 6’6” sophomore Dom Black, and 5’11” sophomore Griffin Richards are all talented players who will make Tri-Village a force to be reckoned with again this year.