Hillsboro, McClain rivalry game set for Saturday night
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On Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m., the Hillsboro vs. McClain varsity boys basketball teams will play each other. Really, not a whole lot else needs to be said, but there are a few extenuating circumstances to add a little more fuel to the already intense rivalry.
First off, this will be the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between the two as members of the new Frontier Athletic Conference. Second, the game is being played in the Patriot Center on the campus of Southern State Community College. And, third, it is the final game of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic, which begins Friday night with Lynchburg-Clay taking on Ripley at 6 p.m. and includes 11 games over two days.
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Hillsboro and McClain met three times last season. Hillsboro won the first matchup, 54-52. McClain won 57-45 at home, and then the Tigers prevailed 47-40 in a sectional tournament matchup. The winner of Saturday’s game will get a leg up in the conference standings.
Coach Bruce Miles returns all five starters to this year’s Hillsboro squad. Senior Phillip Mycroft was second-team all-South Central Ohio League as a sophomore. He only played six games last season due to an injury, but in those six games, he averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Junior Ethan Watson averaged 14.6 points per game while earning first-team all-league honors last season. Junior Josh Keets averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per game.
Coach Miles has been pleased with preseason workouts and scrimmages.
“Our preseason has gone well,” Miles said. “The kids are buying in and working hard. We are excited to be part of this event and play in our hometown. It is a great opportunity for our fans.”
McClain graduated three of five starters from a year ago. Coach Jesse Mitchell will look to 6’4” senior Landree Gray and 6’4” sophomore Dalton Mischal to anchor this year’s squad. Ethan Cockerill, Devin Carter and Kobe Penwell were key contributors on the JV team last year and will move into varsity roles this season. Gabriele Chiossi is a 6’3” foreign exchange student who could get into the mix as well.
Coach Mitchell was also excited for the opportunity.
“McClain-Hillsboro always seems to be a good game regardless of records, expectations, etc.,” Mitchell said. “Plus, it is a great facility and a good opportunity to play in an event featuring teams like Moeller and Eastmoor Academy.”
The Saturday night session also includes two other games. At 7:30, state powers Cincinnati Moeller and Columbus Eastmoor Academy collide. Moeller finished last season 28-1, losing in the state championship game, and are the odds-on favorite to win this year’s Division I state championship. The Crusaders feature two Division I college signees. Jaxon Hayes, a 6’9” forward, will play at Texas, while 6’5” forward Jeremiah Davenport will play at Wright State.
Eastmoor Academy was a state Final Four team in Division II last season and is expected to make the trip back to Columbus next year. Eastmoor is led by electrifying 6’4” senior Taevion Kinsey, who holds multiple Division I offers.
In the 6 p.m. game, the Mason Comets square off with the Springboro Panthers.
Tickets for Session 3 are available at both Hillsboro and McClain High Schools. Tickets are also available online at www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com and will be available at the gate while they last.
First off, this will be the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between the two as members of the new Frontier Athletic Conference. Second, the game is being played in the Patriot Center on the campus of Southern State Community College. And, third, it is the final game of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic, which begins Friday night with Lynchburg-Clay taking on Ripley at 6 p.m. and includes 11 games over two days.
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Hillsboro and McClain met three times last season. Hillsboro won the first matchup, 54-52. McClain won 57-45 at home, and then the Tigers prevailed 47-40 in a sectional tournament matchup. The winner of Saturday’s game will get a leg up in the conference standings.
Coach Bruce Miles returns all five starters to this year’s Hillsboro squad. Senior Phillip Mycroft was second-team all-South Central Ohio League as a sophomore. He only played six games last season due to an injury, but in those six games, he averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Junior Ethan Watson averaged 14.6 points per game while earning first-team all-league honors last season. Junior Josh Keets averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per game.
Coach Miles has been pleased with preseason workouts and scrimmages.
“Our preseason has gone well,” Miles said. “The kids are buying in and working hard. We are excited to be part of this event and play in our hometown. It is a great opportunity for our fans.”
McClain graduated three of five starters from a year ago. Coach Jesse Mitchell will look to 6’4” senior Landree Gray and 6’4” sophomore Dalton Mischal to anchor this year’s squad. Ethan Cockerill, Devin Carter and Kobe Penwell were key contributors on the JV team last year and will move into varsity roles this season. Gabriele Chiossi is a 6’3” foreign exchange student who could get into the mix as well.
Coach Mitchell was also excited for the opportunity.
“McClain-Hillsboro always seems to be a good game regardless of records, expectations, etc.,” Mitchell said. “Plus, it is a great facility and a good opportunity to play in an event featuring teams like Moeller and Eastmoor Academy.”
The Saturday night session also includes two other games. At 7:30, state powers Cincinnati Moeller and Columbus Eastmoor Academy collide. Moeller finished last season 28-1, losing in the state championship game, and are the odds-on favorite to win this year’s Division I state championship. The Crusaders feature two Division I college signees. Jaxon Hayes, a 6’9” forward, will play at Texas, while 6’5” forward Jeremiah Davenport will play at Wright State.
Eastmoor Academy was a state Final Four team in Division II last season and is expected to make the trip back to Columbus next year. Eastmoor is led by electrifying 6’4” senior Taevion Kinsey, who holds multiple Division I offers.
In the 6 p.m. game, the Mason Comets square off with the Springboro Panthers.
Tickets for Session 3 are available at both Hillsboro and McClain High Schools. Tickets are also available online at www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com and will be available at the gate while they last.