Ohio Valley Hoops Classic tips off Friday; Hillsboro, McClain to compete in annual event
Lead Summary
By
Bennie Carroll-
The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic tips off Friday night at Hillsboro High School. The two-day event features nine games, with three on Friday night and six on Saturday. Local fans will have plenty of reasons to show up.
On Friday night, the local teams take center stage as Hillsboro and Wilmington renew an old rivalry at 7:30 p.m., while McClain and East Clinton tangle at 9 p.m. The event tips at 6 p.m. when Lakota East, coached by former Wilmington standout Clint Adkins, takes on five-time state champion Dayton Dunbar.
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If you want to see future Division I college players, then Saturday is your day. Four players have signed to play at major Division I programs next season. Xenia’s Samari Curtis will play at UC, and Walton Verona’s Dieonte Miles will play for Xavier. Their teams meet at high noon on Saturday. Moeller’s Miles “Duece” McBride will play for Bob Huggins at West Virginia, and Sidney’s Andre Gordon will be a Virginia Tech Hokie. Several underclassmen have major offers, led by Walnut Ridge’s Von Cameron Davis. Blanchester’s Braydon Sipple and Beechwood’s Scotty Draud are two sophomores on the recruiting radar of college coaches.
Top-level Division I teams will also be on display. Moeller is the defending state champion in Ohio and will be a contender again this year. Lakota East and Mason are perennial high-level teams in southwest Ohio. Lexington Bryan Station has produced numerous NBA players. Campbell County has played in three of the past six Kentucky state tournaments.
Fans will also have an opportunity to win prizes in our halftime promotion. On Friday night, four lucky fans will have a chance to walk away with a brand new Ford Escape from Beford Ford Lincoln of Washington Court House. At halftime of every game, several fans will have an opportunity to shoot for prizes provided by local businesses who are sponsoring the event.
The first two games on Saturday are “youth basketball” day at the event. Any youth basketball player, boy or girl, up through eighth grade will be admitted free if they wear their jersey and are accompanied by a paying adult as long as they arrive before the end of the second game.
“We wanted the local kids to be able to see some Division I talent, as well as the defending state champion team. Many of them haven’t had that opportunity,” said Bennie Carroll, event organizer.
Tickets for the event are $10, available at the door. Tickets are good for the entire day each day.
Carroll also wanted to thank all the sponsors of the event.
“We could not bring this event to Hillsboro without the help of our sponsors. I urge all the fans to support them whenever possible,” he said.
The complete list of sponsors includes: Slam Dunk Level: Sherwood Auto and Campers, Beford Ford Lincoln, Southern State Community College, JK Precast; Three-Point Level: Big Ernie’s Pizza, LaRosa’s Pizzeria, G & J Pepsi, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Wright State University, Highland District Hospital, CMH Regional Health Systems, Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church; Two-point level: Chad Abbott Signs, The Highland County Press, The Times Gazette, Five Points Implement, KFC, Quali-Tee Design Sportswear, Southern Hills Community Bank, H & R Block, Lowe’s, Hobart, Ponderosa Steakhouse, 24 Deli, Family Farm and Home, Roger Williams Auto; Layup Level: Snow Hill Country Club, Save a Lot, Community Markets, Harsha Monument Company, Kibler Lumber, ATSG, the Union Stock Yards, Merchants National Bank, The Laurels of Hillsboro, NCB, Alley 21, Carrie Zeigler-State Farm Insurance and BDK Lumber.
Complete details of the event are available at: www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com.
Below are two final previews for the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic.
• • •
OHVC Preview: Former league rivals Hillsboro, Wilmington face off Friday
When the Hillsboro Indians and Wilmington Hurricane take the floor on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in this year’s Ohio Valley Hoops Classic, each team will be facing an old familiar foe. The two teams competed annually as members of the South Central Ohio League before it disbanded after the 2016-17 season.
Wilmington went to the Southern Buckeye Athletic Conference, where the Hurricane won last season’s championship with a 10-0 record in the midst of a 17-6 season. Hillsboro struggled in its first year of competition in the new Frontier Athletic Conference, finishing 3-7 and 8-16 overall.
Wilmington will have to rely on its traditionally strong man-to-man defense early on as Coach Mike Nozska will have to replace the three leading scorers from a year ago. Jeffrey Mansfield, Layne Griffith and Matt Smith are now all playing for Wilmington College.
The top returnees for the Hurricane are seniors Cam Coomer and Willie Morris and junior Sam Jacobyansky, but Morris is currently recovering from an injury and his status is uncertain. Nozska will look to 6-3 junior Chris Custis and 6-6 sophomore Matt Butcher to provide help. Transfer student Marko Anicic could also be in the mix once he becomes more accustomed to the style of play.
While the Indians lost an inside force in Philip Mycroft, Coach Bruce Miles returns some weapons. Senior Ethan Watson is a three-year starter who averaged 14 points per game last year and has 77 career three-point field goals. He should break the 1,000-point mark this season. Josh Keets is another three-year starter who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds a game last season. Seniors Mason Swayne and Reece Bloomfield, along with sophomores Ryan Scott and Brad Miller, should contribute.
The Hillsboro-Wilmington game will be preceded by a big school showdown between Dayton Dunbar and Lakota East, followed by another former SCOL matchup when East Clinton tangles with Greenfield McClain.
• • •
OVHC Preview: McClain, East Clinton game features new MHS coach, young EC squad
Joe Stewart was the starting point guard on Greenfield McClain’s 1975 District Championship team. On Friday night, longtime coach Stewart will make his debut as head coach at his alma mater when his Tigers take on East Clinton in the 9 p.m. nightcap of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic at Hillsboro High School.
Stewart inherits a team that finished 3-20 a year ago, but the veteran coach has been encouraged by what he has seen of his team during the summer and early season practices.
“Hard work does not intimidate these guys, and their unity has been excellent. With a focus on daily improvement and a sacrifice for the good of the unit, we think we may be able to be a surprise,” Stewart said.
Dalton Mischal returns for the Tigers after missing most of last season with an injury. The 6-3 junior was averaging 13.4 points per game before going down last season, including a 24-point performance in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic against Hillsboro. Devin Carter is a 6-3 senior who averaged 10.8 points a game last season. Seniors Kobe Penwell and Ethan Cockerill, along with junior Garrison Banks, will also be counted on to provide quality minutes.
Over in Lees Creek, Coach Tony Berlin faces the unenviable task of replacing the school’s all-time leading scorer. Wyatt Floyd put up 1,451 points in his career. And, if that weren’t enough, the Astros also lost a 900-point career scorer in J.T. McCarren.
But Berlin has a young, hungry squad.
“This group is eager to learn. We are trying to impress on them that playing hard can cure a lot of ills, and they seem to be embracing that,” said the Astros mentor.
Sophomore Branson Smith saw a great deal of varsity time last season. His challenge will be stepping into a bigger role. The Astros roster has only one senior, Austin Rolfe, so Berlin will be looking to a host of younger players to step up from the junior varsity team.
East Clinton is 3-1 all-time in Ohio Valley Hoops Classic games, having defeated Blanchester, Paint Valley and Fayetteville, before suffering their only loss last season to Fairfield. McClain will be searching for their first victory after losing to Division I power Upper Arlington and Notre Dame signee Dane Goodwin in 2016 and falling to Hillsboro last season.
The earlier games Friday evening include Dayton Dunbar vs. Lakota East at 6 p.m., followed by Wilmington vs. Hillsboro at 7:30.
On Friday night, the local teams take center stage as Hillsboro and Wilmington renew an old rivalry at 7:30 p.m., while McClain and East Clinton tangle at 9 p.m. The event tips at 6 p.m. when Lakota East, coached by former Wilmington standout Clint Adkins, takes on five-time state champion Dayton Dunbar.
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If you want to see future Division I college players, then Saturday is your day. Four players have signed to play at major Division I programs next season. Xenia’s Samari Curtis will play at UC, and Walton Verona’s Dieonte Miles will play for Xavier. Their teams meet at high noon on Saturday. Moeller’s Miles “Duece” McBride will play for Bob Huggins at West Virginia, and Sidney’s Andre Gordon will be a Virginia Tech Hokie. Several underclassmen have major offers, led by Walnut Ridge’s Von Cameron Davis. Blanchester’s Braydon Sipple and Beechwood’s Scotty Draud are two sophomores on the recruiting radar of college coaches.
Top-level Division I teams will also be on display. Moeller is the defending state champion in Ohio and will be a contender again this year. Lakota East and Mason are perennial high-level teams in southwest Ohio. Lexington Bryan Station has produced numerous NBA players. Campbell County has played in three of the past six Kentucky state tournaments.
Fans will also have an opportunity to win prizes in our halftime promotion. On Friday night, four lucky fans will have a chance to walk away with a brand new Ford Escape from Beford Ford Lincoln of Washington Court House. At halftime of every game, several fans will have an opportunity to shoot for prizes provided by local businesses who are sponsoring the event.
The first two games on Saturday are “youth basketball” day at the event. Any youth basketball player, boy or girl, up through eighth grade will be admitted free if they wear their jersey and are accompanied by a paying adult as long as they arrive before the end of the second game.
“We wanted the local kids to be able to see some Division I talent, as well as the defending state champion team. Many of them haven’t had that opportunity,” said Bennie Carroll, event organizer.
Tickets for the event are $10, available at the door. Tickets are good for the entire day each day.
Carroll also wanted to thank all the sponsors of the event.
“We could not bring this event to Hillsboro without the help of our sponsors. I urge all the fans to support them whenever possible,” he said.
The complete list of sponsors includes: Slam Dunk Level: Sherwood Auto and Campers, Beford Ford Lincoln, Southern State Community College, JK Precast; Three-Point Level: Big Ernie’s Pizza, LaRosa’s Pizzeria, G & J Pepsi, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Wright State University, Highland District Hospital, CMH Regional Health Systems, Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church; Two-point level: Chad Abbott Signs, The Highland County Press, The Times Gazette, Five Points Implement, KFC, Quali-Tee Design Sportswear, Southern Hills Community Bank, H & R Block, Lowe’s, Hobart, Ponderosa Steakhouse, 24 Deli, Family Farm and Home, Roger Williams Auto; Layup Level: Snow Hill Country Club, Save a Lot, Community Markets, Harsha Monument Company, Kibler Lumber, ATSG, the Union Stock Yards, Merchants National Bank, The Laurels of Hillsboro, NCB, Alley 21, Carrie Zeigler-State Farm Insurance and BDK Lumber.
Complete details of the event are available at: www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com.
Below are two final previews for the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic.
• • •
OHVC Preview: Former league rivals Hillsboro, Wilmington face off Friday
When the Hillsboro Indians and Wilmington Hurricane take the floor on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in this year’s Ohio Valley Hoops Classic, each team will be facing an old familiar foe. The two teams competed annually as members of the South Central Ohio League before it disbanded after the 2016-17 season.
Wilmington went to the Southern Buckeye Athletic Conference, where the Hurricane won last season’s championship with a 10-0 record in the midst of a 17-6 season. Hillsboro struggled in its first year of competition in the new Frontier Athletic Conference, finishing 3-7 and 8-16 overall.
Wilmington will have to rely on its traditionally strong man-to-man defense early on as Coach Mike Nozska will have to replace the three leading scorers from a year ago. Jeffrey Mansfield, Layne Griffith and Matt Smith are now all playing for Wilmington College.
The top returnees for the Hurricane are seniors Cam Coomer and Willie Morris and junior Sam Jacobyansky, but Morris is currently recovering from an injury and his status is uncertain. Nozska will look to 6-3 junior Chris Custis and 6-6 sophomore Matt Butcher to provide help. Transfer student Marko Anicic could also be in the mix once he becomes more accustomed to the style of play.
While the Indians lost an inside force in Philip Mycroft, Coach Bruce Miles returns some weapons. Senior Ethan Watson is a three-year starter who averaged 14 points per game last year and has 77 career three-point field goals. He should break the 1,000-point mark this season. Josh Keets is another three-year starter who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds a game last season. Seniors Mason Swayne and Reece Bloomfield, along with sophomores Ryan Scott and Brad Miller, should contribute.
The Hillsboro-Wilmington game will be preceded by a big school showdown between Dayton Dunbar and Lakota East, followed by another former SCOL matchup when East Clinton tangles with Greenfield McClain.
• • •
OVHC Preview: McClain, East Clinton game features new MHS coach, young EC squad
Joe Stewart was the starting point guard on Greenfield McClain’s 1975 District Championship team. On Friday night, longtime coach Stewart will make his debut as head coach at his alma mater when his Tigers take on East Clinton in the 9 p.m. nightcap of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic at Hillsboro High School.
Stewart inherits a team that finished 3-20 a year ago, but the veteran coach has been encouraged by what he has seen of his team during the summer and early season practices.
“Hard work does not intimidate these guys, and their unity has been excellent. With a focus on daily improvement and a sacrifice for the good of the unit, we think we may be able to be a surprise,” Stewart said.
Dalton Mischal returns for the Tigers after missing most of last season with an injury. The 6-3 junior was averaging 13.4 points per game before going down last season, including a 24-point performance in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic against Hillsboro. Devin Carter is a 6-3 senior who averaged 10.8 points a game last season. Seniors Kobe Penwell and Ethan Cockerill, along with junior Garrison Banks, will also be counted on to provide quality minutes.
Over in Lees Creek, Coach Tony Berlin faces the unenviable task of replacing the school’s all-time leading scorer. Wyatt Floyd put up 1,451 points in his career. And, if that weren’t enough, the Astros also lost a 900-point career scorer in J.T. McCarren.
But Berlin has a young, hungry squad.
“This group is eager to learn. We are trying to impress on them that playing hard can cure a lot of ills, and they seem to be embracing that,” said the Astros mentor.
Sophomore Branson Smith saw a great deal of varsity time last season. His challenge will be stepping into a bigger role. The Astros roster has only one senior, Austin Rolfe, so Berlin will be looking to a host of younger players to step up from the junior varsity team.
East Clinton is 3-1 all-time in Ohio Valley Hoops Classic games, having defeated Blanchester, Paint Valley and Fayetteville, before suffering their only loss last season to Fairfield. McClain will be searching for their first victory after losing to Division I power Upper Arlington and Notre Dame signee Dane Goodwin in 2016 and falling to Hillsboro last season.
The earlier games Friday evening include Dayton Dunbar vs. Lakota East at 6 p.m., followed by Wilmington vs. Hillsboro at 7:30.