Not off the Press: More basketball stats, rivalry week (again), and looking ahead at this week's games
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The route to the South Central Ohio League boys and girls basketball championships will be going through the Clinton-Massie Falcons this season, it seems.
Both were favorites to win the league titles at the start of the season, and well, right now neither the boys nor girls teams from Clinton-Massie have a league loss with the boys being 6-0 and the girls at 9-0.
Next in line are two one-loss teams in Miami Trace for the girls and Washington for the boys.
[[In-content Ad]]Miami Trace plays Clinton-Massie for the second time in the season finale on Feb. 9 … so if each teams wins out until that game, then potentially there could be a tie for the girls league championship.
For the boys, the Falcons and Washington are scheduled to play against each other on Jan. 29 at CMHS and on Feb. 9 at WSHS.
However, before CM hosts Washington, they will host East Clinton (Jan. 22), play at McClain (Jan. 25), play at East Clinton (Jan. 26) and then host the Blue Lions, so who knows what the standings will look like once that game arrives.
Before Washington plays at CM, they have league games at Miami Trace on Jan. 22 and at Hillsboro on Jan. 25.
All of that is just something to ponder as this week's SCOL games are set to begin.
• SCOL boys records this week
Entering the boys games this week, here are what the records in league play look like:
Here are the SCOL records of each league team:
Clinton-Massie (6-0)
Washington (6-1)
Madison-Plains (5-3)
Miami Trace (5-3)
East Clinton (3-4)
London (3-5)
Hillsboro (1-7)
McClain (1-7)
Besides the race for first place, the rest of the league, as of right now, are having two-team battles with Madison-Plains and Miami Trace both with five wins and three losses in the SCOL, East Clinton and London close in the standings at 3-4 and 3-5 and Hillsboro and McClain each at 1-7 in the league.
As for HHS and MHS, I'll write more about them later in this column, but the race I'm interested in is Madison-Plains and Miami Trace as both still have a realistic chance at the league title, IF they can knock off the two teams currently in the top spot of the league.
Miami Trace's remaining SCOL schedule looks like this: Jan. 22 vs. Washington, Jan. 25 vs. London, Jan. 29 at Madison-Plains, Feb. 8 at East Clinton and Feb. 15 vs. Clinton-Massie.
Madison-Plains' remaining SCOL slate includes: at London (Jan. 22), at East Clinton (Jan. 25), vs. Miami Trace (Jan. 29), vs. Clinton-Massie (Feb. 1) and at Hillsboro (Feb. 8).
Though there are many games left in league play, my guess is one of these four teams will be taking home the league trophy at the winter banquet.
Speaking of those four teams, here are the results of their head-to-head match-ups this season:
- Clinton-Massie: vs. Madison-Plains (W, 53-40), vs. Miami Trace (W, 59-40).
- Miami Trace: vs. Washington (L, 62-61), vs. Madison-Plains (L, 74-70), at Clinton-Massie (L, 59-40).
- Washington: at Madison-Plains (L, 65-62), at Miami Trace, W, 62-61), vs. Madison-Plains (W, 48-44).
- Madison-Plains: vs. Washington (W, 65-62), at Miami Trace (W, 74-70), at Clinton-Massie (L, 53-40).
Again, this race is too close to call.
• Welcome to the club: Laney Lewis scores 1,000th career point
I've had the opportunity to watch Laney Lewis play basketball for four seasons now, and it's great to see how much she's improved year to year as a basketball player, especially this season for LCHS.
Lewis scored her 1,000th career point in the first quarter Monday at Georgetown.
She's by far the best girls basketball player I've seen play this year, and definitely in the top two or three players I've covered in either boys or girls basketball this year.
This season, Lewis has totaled 369 points (through Monday) for 21.7 points per game this season. Her junior year, Lewis scored 295 points (13.4 ppg). For her career, thus far, Lewis has 1,015 points, with five regular-season games left on the schedule, then the start of the postseason.
For Lewis' senior year, thus far, she had one triple-double, along with two games of 30 or more points. In 17 games, Lewis has scored 11 or more points in all of those games, and in 10 games this season, Lewis has 20 or more points in a game.
Congratulations, Laney.
• A Highland County Rivalry: Part 2 of Hillsboro vs. McClain
Even though these two teams have had their struggles this season, I know these two Highland County teams are better than their 1-7 league records.
This is an interesting game for the fact there is the HHS win streak over McClain on the line, both have lost numerous consecutive league games headed into this matchup, and both teams really need a win right now, and whomever wins this game won't be in the bottom spot of the SCOL anymore.
The first time these two teams squared off this season (Dec. 14) it was HHS winning, 44-28.
Here are five things which stand out from their first meeting this season:
- HHS made five 3-pointers to McClain's one.
- There were a combined four free throws made in the game and 12 attempted (HHS was 3-of-8).
- HHS had a 12-0 run in the second frame that changed the entire flow of the game.
- MHS outscored HHS in the final two quarters, 20-17.
- Jarrod Hart led all scorers with 19 points (15 first-half points). He had all 10 HHS points in the first quarter.
With all that said, you know the ol' saying "throw the records out the window" … well, I guess if that was true for any game, it would be this game Tuesday at Hillsboro, as this game is all about pride.
Even though this game is on a Tuesday (I still believe rivalry games are more suited for Fridays and Saturdays, especially since there are SCOL games on Friday as well, but what do I know?) I really hope the fans of both of these teams pack Hillsboro High School and support the players no matter what their records are.
• The SHAC race to the championship continues
The Southern Hills Athletic Conference division races are even closer than the SCOL on the boys side or darn near the same.
In Division I, it is still a two-team race at the top with Eastern Brown at 8-0 and Peebles at 7-1. In Division II, right now it is Whiteoak on top at 5-2 and Fayetteville and Fairfield following at 4-3. Ripley in Division II and North Adams in Division I still aren't out of it, but they'll pretty much have to win out to move up in the standings.
This week, Whiteoak faces Fairfield on Friday at WHS, and before that game, the Lions of FHS will host Ripley on Tuesday. As for Fayetteville, they have games at Ripley and Manchester this week, and following those two games will play at Whiteoak on Jan. 29 and host Fairfield on Feb. 1. Earlier this season, Fayetteville lost to WHS in overtime and defeated the Lions.
The Division II race could come to a close after those games, but we'll just have to continue to wait and see what occurs.
As I mentioned last week … the Division I race could come down to the final game for Eastern Brown and Peebles, and as of this writing, it still looks that way.
• Highland County boys basketball scoring leaders
Here are the current boys basketball point per game leaders for Highland County players (points are through Jan. 20). They are ranked by points per game. Also listed are their total points and games played this season.
1. Quentin Williams (FHS) 21.5 — 280 (13 games)
2. Doc Seip (WHS) 19.2 — 269 (14 games)
3. Jarrod Hart (HHS) 16.1 — 209 (13 games)
4. Alec Smith (LC) 14.5 — 174 (12 games)
5. Luke Taggert (WHS) 14.4 — 201 (14 games)
6. Ryan Faulconer (MHS) 12.4 — 173 (14 games)
7. Ryan Bates (FHS) 11.6 — 151 (13 games)
8. Gage Carraher (WHS) 11.2 — 157 (14 games)
9. Gage Montgomery (FHS) 10.5 — 137 (13 games)
10. Ryan Inman (LC) 9.7 — 117 (12 games)
11. Devin Pierson (LC) 9.5 — 114 (12 games)
12. (tie) Thomas Schrader (MHS) 9.4 — 132 (14 games)
12. (tie) Brent Shannon (MHS) 9.4 — 132 (14 games)
14. Jordan Captain (HHS) 8.4 — 109 (13 games)
15. Gage Waits (LC) 8.2 — 98 (12 games)
• Looking at select games for the week
- Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Fairfield vs. Manchester (boys basketball): Like I mentioned earlier …. from here on out, every league game for the Fairfield Lions is important. This is the first of two meetings between the teams. Their final meeting is on Feb. 15 at MHS to end the regular season.
- Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Hillsboro at McClain (girls basketball): I didn't forget about this game. Entering this, the Lady Tigers will be looking for their fourth SCOL win, and HHS will be looking to gain their second league victory. In their first meeting at HHS this season, the Lady Tigers defeated HHS, 50-47. On a side note: let's hope there aren't 55 total fouls called in this game like before.
- Thursday, Jan. 24 — Lynchburg-Clay at North Adams (girls basketball): This is a very important game for the Lady Mustangs. A win by LC keeps them in the race for the conference title, but a loss will make it very difficult for LC to get back to the top of the SHAC Division I standings.
- Friday, Jan. 25 — Fairfield at Whiteoak (boys basketball) — Like I said earlier … this game means a lot in the SHAC standings. Whomever wins will control their own destiny for a possible conference title. Plus, when these two teams play, it is always fun to watch. Earlier this season, Fairfield won, 52-44.
- Saturday, Jan. 26 — Hillsboro at Fairfield (boys basketball) — Two Highland County teams with no league standings to worry about. This is all about neighboring communities wanting to gain the upper hand on their contemporaries in this game.
• Girls Basketball Notes
- Fairfield junior Heather Cox is currently standing at 291 points this season in 15 games played. She's averaging a team-high 19.4 points per game, with eight games of 20 or more points, including a season-high of 27 points.
- Fairfield sophomore Kaitlin Evans is currently averaging 9.4 points per game with 141 points in 15 games. Evans has two 20-point games this season, along with an 18-point game.
- McClain junior Tara Karnes is averaging 13.8 points per game this season, including four games of 20 or more points.
- Every Highland County girls team will have at least two wins this season.
- McClain sophomore Shania Massie is currently averaging 13.3 points per game after 16 games played. She's scored 212 points with a season-high of 26 points.
- Whiteoak freshman Emma Wardlow currently has 202 points this season, with a season points per game average of 11.9. She's played in 17 games this season.
- I think I jinxed the Lady Mustangs' recent winning streak, which came to an end last Thursday vs. Peebles. Sorry about that … I'm known to jinx sports teams.
• A couple non-high school sports thoughts
- RIP Stan Musial and Earl Weaver … I wish more ball players and managers were like these guys, who by all accounts were complete opposites when they were on the field of play.
- I wish I could have seen Tony Gonzalez play in the Super Bowl.
- Bill Belichick is a bit of a sore loser, but I think he's the best coach in the NFL.
- I can't wait for the Super Bowl to be played. I'm cheering for the Ravens, and so is probably every Dallas Cowboys fan … or they should be.
- I don't care one bit about the Pro Bowl.
- I'm ready for spring and baseball. No lie.
- I don't know who I trust less, Manti Te'o or Lance Armstrong.
• Stat of the Week
The Indians played the Falcons on back-to-back nights this past Friday and Saturday, losing the two games by a combined score of 94-73. At CM, HHS lost 49-36, and vs. CM, the Tribe fell 45-37.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Hillsboro's Brandon Carter went 4-0 in matches at the Western Brown Hammer & Anvil tournament on Saturday, He won the 103-pound weight class at the event.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
McClain wrestlers Roscoe East (170 pounds), Coty Barnhart (132 pounds) and Brandon Davis (220 pounds) all have 25 or more wins this season.
• Quote of the Week
"We knew we were in for a fight. Coach Cooper prepares his team really well, and this was a game with two young teams just trying to get better." — Matt Hodson, Fairfield girls basketball head coach, following their win over Whiteoak on Monday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I told the kids all streaks are made to end, and if they can't get ready for Tuesday (vs. McClain), then they don't have a whole lot of passion for basketball." — Brett Prince, Hillsboro boys basketball coach Saturday night speaking about their upcoming rivalry game.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"Everyone experienced a loss (Saturday). That is exactly why I scheduled this event because both of these schools have wrestlers ranked highly in the state, and some nationally. You must take some beatings to deliver some. (Saturday) we took some and gave some. Some of our guys only took some ... however, tough times don't last, tough guys do." — Shane Paul, McClain wrestling coach speaking about Saturday's wrestling results.
• One last item of business
As of Tuesday, Jan. 22, we have 69 days until the Cincinnati Reds host the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
Both were favorites to win the league titles at the start of the season, and well, right now neither the boys nor girls teams from Clinton-Massie have a league loss with the boys being 6-0 and the girls at 9-0.
Next in line are two one-loss teams in Miami Trace for the girls and Washington for the boys.
[[In-content Ad]]Miami Trace plays Clinton-Massie for the second time in the season finale on Feb. 9 … so if each teams wins out until that game, then potentially there could be a tie for the girls league championship.
For the boys, the Falcons and Washington are scheduled to play against each other on Jan. 29 at CMHS and on Feb. 9 at WSHS.
However, before CM hosts Washington, they will host East Clinton (Jan. 22), play at McClain (Jan. 25), play at East Clinton (Jan. 26) and then host the Blue Lions, so who knows what the standings will look like once that game arrives.
Before Washington plays at CM, they have league games at Miami Trace on Jan. 22 and at Hillsboro on Jan. 25.
All of that is just something to ponder as this week's SCOL games are set to begin.
• SCOL boys records this week
Entering the boys games this week, here are what the records in league play look like:
Here are the SCOL records of each league team:
Clinton-Massie (6-0)
Washington (6-1)
Madison-Plains (5-3)
Miami Trace (5-3)
East Clinton (3-4)
London (3-5)
Hillsboro (1-7)
McClain (1-7)
Besides the race for first place, the rest of the league, as of right now, are having two-team battles with Madison-Plains and Miami Trace both with five wins and three losses in the SCOL, East Clinton and London close in the standings at 3-4 and 3-5 and Hillsboro and McClain each at 1-7 in the league.
As for HHS and MHS, I'll write more about them later in this column, but the race I'm interested in is Madison-Plains and Miami Trace as both still have a realistic chance at the league title, IF they can knock off the two teams currently in the top spot of the league.
Miami Trace's remaining SCOL schedule looks like this: Jan. 22 vs. Washington, Jan. 25 vs. London, Jan. 29 at Madison-Plains, Feb. 8 at East Clinton and Feb. 15 vs. Clinton-Massie.
Madison-Plains' remaining SCOL slate includes: at London (Jan. 22), at East Clinton (Jan. 25), vs. Miami Trace (Jan. 29), vs. Clinton-Massie (Feb. 1) and at Hillsboro (Feb. 8).
Though there are many games left in league play, my guess is one of these four teams will be taking home the league trophy at the winter banquet.
Speaking of those four teams, here are the results of their head-to-head match-ups this season:
- Clinton-Massie: vs. Madison-Plains (W, 53-40), vs. Miami Trace (W, 59-40).
- Miami Trace: vs. Washington (L, 62-61), vs. Madison-Plains (L, 74-70), at Clinton-Massie (L, 59-40).
- Washington: at Madison-Plains (L, 65-62), at Miami Trace, W, 62-61), vs. Madison-Plains (W, 48-44).
- Madison-Plains: vs. Washington (W, 65-62), at Miami Trace (W, 74-70), at Clinton-Massie (L, 53-40).
Again, this race is too close to call.
• Welcome to the club: Laney Lewis scores 1,000th career point
I've had the opportunity to watch Laney Lewis play basketball for four seasons now, and it's great to see how much she's improved year to year as a basketball player, especially this season for LCHS.
Lewis scored her 1,000th career point in the first quarter Monday at Georgetown.
She's by far the best girls basketball player I've seen play this year, and definitely in the top two or three players I've covered in either boys or girls basketball this year.
This season, Lewis has totaled 369 points (through Monday) for 21.7 points per game this season. Her junior year, Lewis scored 295 points (13.4 ppg). For her career, thus far, Lewis has 1,015 points, with five regular-season games left on the schedule, then the start of the postseason.
For Lewis' senior year, thus far, she had one triple-double, along with two games of 30 or more points. In 17 games, Lewis has scored 11 or more points in all of those games, and in 10 games this season, Lewis has 20 or more points in a game.
Congratulations, Laney.
• A Highland County Rivalry: Part 2 of Hillsboro vs. McClain
Even though these two teams have had their struggles this season, I know these two Highland County teams are better than their 1-7 league records.
This is an interesting game for the fact there is the HHS win streak over McClain on the line, both have lost numerous consecutive league games headed into this matchup, and both teams really need a win right now, and whomever wins this game won't be in the bottom spot of the SCOL anymore.
The first time these two teams squared off this season (Dec. 14) it was HHS winning, 44-28.
Here are five things which stand out from their first meeting this season:
- HHS made five 3-pointers to McClain's one.
- There were a combined four free throws made in the game and 12 attempted (HHS was 3-of-8).
- HHS had a 12-0 run in the second frame that changed the entire flow of the game.
- MHS outscored HHS in the final two quarters, 20-17.
- Jarrod Hart led all scorers with 19 points (15 first-half points). He had all 10 HHS points in the first quarter.
With all that said, you know the ol' saying "throw the records out the window" … well, I guess if that was true for any game, it would be this game Tuesday at Hillsboro, as this game is all about pride.
Even though this game is on a Tuesday (I still believe rivalry games are more suited for Fridays and Saturdays, especially since there are SCOL games on Friday as well, but what do I know?) I really hope the fans of both of these teams pack Hillsboro High School and support the players no matter what their records are.
• The SHAC race to the championship continues
The Southern Hills Athletic Conference division races are even closer than the SCOL on the boys side or darn near the same.
In Division I, it is still a two-team race at the top with Eastern Brown at 8-0 and Peebles at 7-1. In Division II, right now it is Whiteoak on top at 5-2 and Fayetteville and Fairfield following at 4-3. Ripley in Division II and North Adams in Division I still aren't out of it, but they'll pretty much have to win out to move up in the standings.
This week, Whiteoak faces Fairfield on Friday at WHS, and before that game, the Lions of FHS will host Ripley on Tuesday. As for Fayetteville, they have games at Ripley and Manchester this week, and following those two games will play at Whiteoak on Jan. 29 and host Fairfield on Feb. 1. Earlier this season, Fayetteville lost to WHS in overtime and defeated the Lions.
The Division II race could come to a close after those games, but we'll just have to continue to wait and see what occurs.
As I mentioned last week … the Division I race could come down to the final game for Eastern Brown and Peebles, and as of this writing, it still looks that way.
• Highland County boys basketball scoring leaders
Here are the current boys basketball point per game leaders for Highland County players (points are through Jan. 20). They are ranked by points per game. Also listed are their total points and games played this season.
1. Quentin Williams (FHS) 21.5 — 280 (13 games)
2. Doc Seip (WHS) 19.2 — 269 (14 games)
3. Jarrod Hart (HHS) 16.1 — 209 (13 games)
4. Alec Smith (LC) 14.5 — 174 (12 games)
5. Luke Taggert (WHS) 14.4 — 201 (14 games)
6. Ryan Faulconer (MHS) 12.4 — 173 (14 games)
7. Ryan Bates (FHS) 11.6 — 151 (13 games)
8. Gage Carraher (WHS) 11.2 — 157 (14 games)
9. Gage Montgomery (FHS) 10.5 — 137 (13 games)
10. Ryan Inman (LC) 9.7 — 117 (12 games)
11. Devin Pierson (LC) 9.5 — 114 (12 games)
12. (tie) Thomas Schrader (MHS) 9.4 — 132 (14 games)
12. (tie) Brent Shannon (MHS) 9.4 — 132 (14 games)
14. Jordan Captain (HHS) 8.4 — 109 (13 games)
15. Gage Waits (LC) 8.2 — 98 (12 games)
• Looking at select games for the week
- Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Fairfield vs. Manchester (boys basketball): Like I mentioned earlier …. from here on out, every league game for the Fairfield Lions is important. This is the first of two meetings between the teams. Their final meeting is on Feb. 15 at MHS to end the regular season.
- Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Hillsboro at McClain (girls basketball): I didn't forget about this game. Entering this, the Lady Tigers will be looking for their fourth SCOL win, and HHS will be looking to gain their second league victory. In their first meeting at HHS this season, the Lady Tigers defeated HHS, 50-47. On a side note: let's hope there aren't 55 total fouls called in this game like before.
- Thursday, Jan. 24 — Lynchburg-Clay at North Adams (girls basketball): This is a very important game for the Lady Mustangs. A win by LC keeps them in the race for the conference title, but a loss will make it very difficult for LC to get back to the top of the SHAC Division I standings.
- Friday, Jan. 25 — Fairfield at Whiteoak (boys basketball) — Like I said earlier … this game means a lot in the SHAC standings. Whomever wins will control their own destiny for a possible conference title. Plus, when these two teams play, it is always fun to watch. Earlier this season, Fairfield won, 52-44.
- Saturday, Jan. 26 — Hillsboro at Fairfield (boys basketball) — Two Highland County teams with no league standings to worry about. This is all about neighboring communities wanting to gain the upper hand on their contemporaries in this game.
• Girls Basketball Notes
- Fairfield junior Heather Cox is currently standing at 291 points this season in 15 games played. She's averaging a team-high 19.4 points per game, with eight games of 20 or more points, including a season-high of 27 points.
- Fairfield sophomore Kaitlin Evans is currently averaging 9.4 points per game with 141 points in 15 games. Evans has two 20-point games this season, along with an 18-point game.
- McClain junior Tara Karnes is averaging 13.8 points per game this season, including four games of 20 or more points.
- Every Highland County girls team will have at least two wins this season.
- McClain sophomore Shania Massie is currently averaging 13.3 points per game after 16 games played. She's scored 212 points with a season-high of 26 points.
- Whiteoak freshman Emma Wardlow currently has 202 points this season, with a season points per game average of 11.9. She's played in 17 games this season.
- I think I jinxed the Lady Mustangs' recent winning streak, which came to an end last Thursday vs. Peebles. Sorry about that … I'm known to jinx sports teams.
• A couple non-high school sports thoughts
- RIP Stan Musial and Earl Weaver … I wish more ball players and managers were like these guys, who by all accounts were complete opposites when they were on the field of play.
- I wish I could have seen Tony Gonzalez play in the Super Bowl.
- Bill Belichick is a bit of a sore loser, but I think he's the best coach in the NFL.
- I can't wait for the Super Bowl to be played. I'm cheering for the Ravens, and so is probably every Dallas Cowboys fan … or they should be.
- I don't care one bit about the Pro Bowl.
- I'm ready for spring and baseball. No lie.
- I don't know who I trust less, Manti Te'o or Lance Armstrong.
• Stat of the Week
The Indians played the Falcons on back-to-back nights this past Friday and Saturday, losing the two games by a combined score of 94-73. At CM, HHS lost 49-36, and vs. CM, the Tribe fell 45-37.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Hillsboro's Brandon Carter went 4-0 in matches at the Western Brown Hammer & Anvil tournament on Saturday, He won the 103-pound weight class at the event.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
McClain wrestlers Roscoe East (170 pounds), Coty Barnhart (132 pounds) and Brandon Davis (220 pounds) all have 25 or more wins this season.
• Quote of the Week
"We knew we were in for a fight. Coach Cooper prepares his team really well, and this was a game with two young teams just trying to get better." — Matt Hodson, Fairfield girls basketball head coach, following their win over Whiteoak on Monday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I told the kids all streaks are made to end, and if they can't get ready for Tuesday (vs. McClain), then they don't have a whole lot of passion for basketball." — Brett Prince, Hillsboro boys basketball coach Saturday night speaking about their upcoming rivalry game.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"Everyone experienced a loss (Saturday). That is exactly why I scheduled this event because both of these schools have wrestlers ranked highly in the state, and some nationally. You must take some beatings to deliver some. (Saturday) we took some and gave some. Some of our guys only took some ... however, tough times don't last, tough guys do." — Shane Paul, McClain wrestling coach speaking about Saturday's wrestling results.
• One last item of business
As of Tuesday, Jan. 22, we have 69 days until the Cincinnati Reds host the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.