Div. I powerhouses, Hillsboro-McClain game among highlights of OVHC’s Saturday night schedule
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The Moeller Crusaders have been a dominant Division I power in Ohio high school basketball over the past 20 years, winning state championships in 1999, 2003 and 2007. Last year’s Crusader team was 28-0 before falling by one point to Massillon Jackson in the state finals. The bad news for their opponents is that the Crusaders may be even better this year, but that is good news for local basketball fans as Moeller will once again open their season in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic as they take on Columbus Eastmoor Academy on Saturday night, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
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Once again this season, Moeller is loaded with Division I talent. Leading the group is 6’9” senior Jaxson Hayes, who is committed to play for the Texas Longhorns but had offers from many major programs, including the University of Kentucky. Fellow senior, 6’6” Jeremiah Davenport, has committed to Wright State, while point guard Isaiah “Sleepy” Payton will play for Division II Indiana Wesleyan. Junior guard Miles McBride is also a Division I college prospect, but he is expected to miss the OVHC due to a football injury.
Don’t feel sorry for Moeller’s opponent, the Warriors of Columbus Eastmoor Academy. The Warriors were 22-7 last season while advancing to the Final Four in Division II. Eastmoor is led by 6’5” senior guard Taevion Kinsey, one of Ohio’s most athletic players. Kinsey has offers from multiple Division I teams. Tariq Brown is another 6’6” athletic wing who has Division I talent. Stanley Williams is a 6’8” physical specimen on the inside for Eastmoor Academy. His brother, 6’7” Stephan Williams, gives Eastmoor the size to battle Moeller’s big front line.
The game immediately precedes the Hillsboro-McClain matchup. Last year, the two then-South Central Ohio League (now Frontier Athletic Conference) and Highland County rivals split their regular-season meetings. On Jan. 13, Hillsboro won at home over McClain by a 54-52. In their final game of the regular season, McClain defended their home court, winning 57-45 on Feb. 17. The rivals then met in the sectional tournament just a few days later, with McClain winning, 47-40.
The opening game of Saturday’s evening session at 6:30 will also provide an intriguing matchup. The Mason Comets and Springboro Panthers, though only 15 miles apart, have not played since 1999 when Springboro beat Mason on the way to an undefeated 20-0 regular season and Fort Ancient Valley Conference Championship. After that game, the two teams went their separate ways. The Comets now compete in the Greater Miami Conference, while Springboro is a member of the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
Coach Greg Richards’ Mason Comets were 21-3 last season, losing by two points to Moeller in the regional semifinals. Over the past three years, the Comets are 63-7. A pair of senior guards, 6’4” Noah Pedelty and 6’0” Tanner Knue, will lead Comets this season. Springboro was 13-12 a year ago in the tough GWOC. The Panthers are also led by a pair of seniors, 6’6” Thomas Arrington and 6’2” Caleb Taylor.
The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic is Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Patriot Center on the campus of Southern State Community College. In all, there are 11 games over the two days. Tickets will be available at the four participating Highland County schools as well as East Clinton and Wilmington. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com or purchased at the door.
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Once again this season, Moeller is loaded with Division I talent. Leading the group is 6’9” senior Jaxson Hayes, who is committed to play for the Texas Longhorns but had offers from many major programs, including the University of Kentucky. Fellow senior, 6’6” Jeremiah Davenport, has committed to Wright State, while point guard Isaiah “Sleepy” Payton will play for Division II Indiana Wesleyan. Junior guard Miles McBride is also a Division I college prospect, but he is expected to miss the OVHC due to a football injury.
Don’t feel sorry for Moeller’s opponent, the Warriors of Columbus Eastmoor Academy. The Warriors were 22-7 last season while advancing to the Final Four in Division II. Eastmoor is led by 6’5” senior guard Taevion Kinsey, one of Ohio’s most athletic players. Kinsey has offers from multiple Division I teams. Tariq Brown is another 6’6” athletic wing who has Division I talent. Stanley Williams is a 6’8” physical specimen on the inside for Eastmoor Academy. His brother, 6’7” Stephan Williams, gives Eastmoor the size to battle Moeller’s big front line.
The game immediately precedes the Hillsboro-McClain matchup. Last year, the two then-South Central Ohio League (now Frontier Athletic Conference) and Highland County rivals split their regular-season meetings. On Jan. 13, Hillsboro won at home over McClain by a 54-52. In their final game of the regular season, McClain defended their home court, winning 57-45 on Feb. 17. The rivals then met in the sectional tournament just a few days later, with McClain winning, 47-40.
The opening game of Saturday’s evening session at 6:30 will also provide an intriguing matchup. The Mason Comets and Springboro Panthers, though only 15 miles apart, have not played since 1999 when Springboro beat Mason on the way to an undefeated 20-0 regular season and Fort Ancient Valley Conference Championship. After that game, the two teams went their separate ways. The Comets now compete in the Greater Miami Conference, while Springboro is a member of the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
Coach Greg Richards’ Mason Comets were 21-3 last season, losing by two points to Moeller in the regional semifinals. Over the past three years, the Comets are 63-7. A pair of senior guards, 6’4” Noah Pedelty and 6’0” Tanner Knue, will lead Comets this season. Springboro was 13-12 a year ago in the tough GWOC. The Panthers are also led by a pair of seniors, 6’6” Thomas Arrington and 6’2” Caleb Taylor.
The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic is Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Patriot Center on the campus of Southern State Community College. In all, there are 11 games over the two days. Tickets will be available at the four participating Highland County schools as well as East Clinton and Wilmington. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com or purchased at the door.