GMC

JBaller said:
6. Officiating in Southwest Ohio is a big problem. The Beavercreek-Princeton game was a travesty, and we'll leave it at that. In the Sycamore-Wayne game, they were simply insanely inconsistent with what was a foul. It was anyone's guess as the game progressed. Officials continued the trend of not calling two-hand grabbing on a ball-handler trying to get the ball up the court or initiate the offense, nor did they call a single charge in the game when there could have been 7-8. On the flipside, light hip checks got called a lot. (I will say that I watched the two games at Mason on NFHS tonight, and I thought the officiating was excellent, just as it was in Sycamore-Moeller. The top 2-3 crews (or top 7-8 guys) in SWO are great, but then there's a big dropoff after that.)
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Going to 7 divisions and now playing 23 district final games means the assigners now use 69 total officials. Which means we are going deeper into the pool. Out of that number I would say we have about 15 elite level officials working right now. Those officials have to be able to get the other guys/gals ready for the moment. It's not easy. For some, the game just doesn't slow down enough. It's also hard to teach judgemement. You either have or you don't.
Also, I would say the assigners have a tough job of matching crews with games. The two you are speaking about today, I watched and broke the film down a clipped plays for learning purposes.
 
Bald guy said:
Going to 7 divisions and now playing 23 district final games means the assigners now use 69 total officials. Which means we are going deeper into the pool. Out of that number I would say we have about 15 elite level officials working right now. Those officials have to be able to get the other guys/gals ready for the moment. It's not easy. For some, the game just doesn't slow down enough. It's also hard to teach judgemement. You either have or you don't.
Also, I would say the assigners have a tough job of matching crews with games. The two you are speaking about today, I watched and broke the film down a clipped plays for learning purposes.
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Great point about there just being more games to cover going from 4 to 7 divisions. I know there is always a deficiency in quality officiating to begin with, and this doesn't help.

Also, god help whoever had to call GWOC games this year. I thought the GMC and GCL-S games were bad with the amount of grabbing on the perimeter. After watching Beavercreek and Wayne in person and then Centerville and Northmont on NFHS today, those had to have been some of the most frenetic, contact-heavy teams in SWO this year. Most officials take the approach that they can't call a foul on every possession, and then the level of athlete in the GWOC simply moves too fast for some officials, which you did point out. It leads to really inconsistent calls in those frenetic games.
 
SLB22 said:
Vandalia should be embarrassed can’t find the keys to unlock Princeton locker room at Halftime. The refs should also be embarrassed with the foul calls 12-1 against the vikes 26-24 vikes at half
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that's how Princeton plays. they just hope the refs don't call them. apparently they did for this game.
 
JBaller said:
A few more tidbits from Sycamore-Wayne earlier today:

1. Sycamore won 53-50 and never trailed in the game. Started up 7-0 and generally played from ahead. Wayne did tie the game 3 times in the 4th quarter, but Sycamore immediately answered with a basket each time.
2. First time I've seen Sycamore able to rip-and-go and get to the basket this season. Wayne overplayed absolutely everything and did not rotate as well as Sycamore was used to seeing in the GMC. Ryan Lynn had a big game driving to the basket and gave Sycamore a 3rd scoring option.
3. Sycamore did have a few turnovers, but did generally limit the turnovers-for-touchdowns. Kimbrough did a great job at battling through the contact.
4. Wayne was able to stay in the game with 9 or 10 made 3s, but Sycamore did a good job keeping them in front of them.
5. Samuel Imade might be the toughest player I've ever seen play for the Aves. Hasn't come off the court in the two tournament games, guards the other team's best player, rebounds, helps bring the ball up, offense runs through him, and scores in the post or from 3. Never takes a play off. Great player.
6. Officiating in Southwest Ohio is a big problem. The Beavercreek-Princeton game was a travesty, and we'll leave it at that. In the Sycamore-Wayne game, they were simply insanely inconsistent with what was a foul. It was anyone's guess as the game progressed. Officials continued the trend of not calling two-hand grabbing on a ball-handler trying to get the ball up the court or initiate the offense, nor did they call a single charge in the game when there could have been 7-8. On the flipside, light hip checks got called a lot. (I will say that I watched the two games at Mason on NFHS tonight, and I thought the officiating was excellent, just as it was in Sycamore-Moeller. The top 2-3 crews (or top 7-8 guys) in SWO are great, but then there's a big dropoff after that.)


I'm assuming Olentangy Orange takes care of business tomorrow and Sycamore will get their shot at #1. Not under any illusions that they're going to win, but I'll enjoy the effort this team is going to give. I do think that Imade is the perfect defender to try to guard Devin Brown. Largely shut down Kazanecki in the 1st round, but Brown presents a bigger challenge as he's a little bigger and quicker than Kazanecki. Still, Imade is the one guy that can matchup. Outside of that, Sycamore will not be at a size mismatch, and Olentangy Orange is also not a level of athlete that the Aves haven't seen in the GMC. Now, they could simply shoot the Aves out of the gym as they play great basketball, but I think the Aves can make them earn it.
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only thing I will add about Imade and I've watched almost every Sycamore game this season - I get it he pretty much never comes out but the only downside I see at times are his hands - passes that he should catch and doesn't or 50/50 rebounds that he should come down with that he just doesn't. other that that, LOVE the kid. didn't think the officials in Sycamore were all that bad. slightly inconsistent but not anything where at the end of the game that was one of things I thought had a big impact on the outcome at all.
 
They play pysical defense I agree. But you got numerous poster complaining about the refs. So apparently we all saw the same game . I’ll be the first to tell you Princeton didn’t play well but both teams were physical call it both ways
 
SLB22 said:
They play pysical defense I agree. But you got numerous poster complaining about the refs. So apparently we all saw the same game . I’ll be the first to tell you Princeton didn’t play well but both teams were physical call it both ways
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here's Princeton's issue - once 2-3 fouls were called, they needed to ADAPT to that. they didn't really do that at all. kept playing the same way. that's part of HS basketball, unfortunately, is being able to adjust to the way the game is being called. be more fundamental with your feet and less physical with your hands. yes, there may have been a discrepancy but it seems like Beavercreek figured it out and Princeton didn't. that was a big difference in the game along with the Vikings just not being able to make anything from 3 at all.
 
4 GMC teams remaining in the Sweet 16 with the 3 game involving them kicking off at 6 PM, 7 PM, and 8 PM tomorrow!

Region 4 Semifinals

Lakota East vs. Fairfield at 6 PM at the Cintas Center
Lakota West vs. St. Xavier at 8 PM at the Cintas Center

Region 3 Semifinals

Sycamore vs. Olentangy Orange at 7 PM at Wittenburg University


-Lakota East and Fairfield split in the regular season, with Lakota East winning 65-49 at home and Fairfield likewise winning 51-46 at home.
-Lakota West beat St. Xavier just 17 days ago 61-56 in overtime in a game at Lakota West. 6'10" center Jacob Wassler is questionable for St. Xavier and may not play.
-Sycamore gets their shot at AP #1 and MaxPreps #2 Olentangy Orange.
-Each of Lakota East, Lakota West, and Fairfield have been to the regional final before, with Fairfield winning the region in 2012. When Lakota was one school, they won the region back-to-back in 1991 and 1992, including the state championship in 1992, but neither East nor West have ever won the region. The forerunner to Lakota, West Chester High School, won the region in 1929. Sycamore has never been to a regional final.
 
Sycamore Aviators vs. Olentangy Orange Pioneers PREVIEW


Sycamore Aviators 11-13 (7-9 in GMC)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #4 Cincinnati Moeller 44-36 in OT, Beat SW-N #2 Huber Heights Wayne 53-50

Starters:
5'11" Sr Tariq Kimbrough (12.7 ppg, 1.6 apg, 38.8/36.7/87.8 shooting)
6'0" Jr Michael Johnson (2.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 39.0/31.3/91.7 shooting)
6'4" Jr Ryan Lynn (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 52.2/30.8/60.3 shooting)
6'5" Sr Brady Queenan (1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg 46.7/23.1/42.9 shooting)
6'6" Sr Samuel Imade (13.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 48.6/37.5/82.7 shooting)

Bench:
6'3" So Ryland Key (4.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 42.3/37.1/66.7 shooting)

Overview:
Sycamore runs a Princeton-style offense and is one of the most methodical teams in the state, averaging just 43.8 ppg on the season. The entirety of the offense is focused around moving the ball until one of Imade or Kimbrough gets free. Kimbrough is a streaky 3-pt shooter that can fill it up in a hurry when he's on. Imade scores a lot on cuts and is a smooth mid-to-long range shooter. They typically lack a 3rd scoring option, but Lynn has played well in the two tournament games driving to the basket after missing several games this year with injury. The Aves are not a super-efficient offensive team even at their slow pace as they have gotten into turnover trouble at times. If they have a lead late, Sycamore is the best foul shooting team in SWO at 74.8%. Defensively, the Aves probably pack it in as much as anybody in the state. They will not extend pressure beyond the 3-pt line and are typically good at not giving up penetration. They will mix in occasional 3-2 or 2-3 matchup zones to go with their primary packed in man-to-man. They are much more efficient defensively, giving up just 42.9% FG and 27.8% 3FG on the year. If they don't commit live-ball turnovers and can set their defense, it is very good.

Olentangy Orange Pioneers 22-2 (10-0 in OCC-Central)

How they got here: Beat C#21 Central Crossing 55-18, Beat C#17 Lancaster 74-19

Starters:
5'9" Jr. Treyton Schroeder
6'0" Jr Levi Davis
6'1" Sr Ellis Appiah
6'4" Sr Keegan Knupp
6'6" Sr Devin Brown

Bench:
6'6" Sr Terryn Thomas
6'2" Sr Dylan Willis
5'10" Jr Xavier Aguilla
6'5" Sr Beckett Miller

Overview:
Olentangy Orange has not lost in the state of Ohio this season, with their two losses coming against Indy Cathedral and a prep school at Flyin' to the Hoop. They are a fairly high up-tempo offensive team averaging 65.1 ppg with the bulk of their offense coming in transition. Brown, Knupp, Thomas, and Davis are all high-flyers that can dunk in transition, and they are excellent throwing the ball ahead for a dunk or a 3. They will run after every turnover or rebound. If they get into the halfcourt, everything runs through Mr. Basketball candidate and Davidson commit, Devin Brown. He will often play PG and initiate the offense or play an iso with the floor spread. He is a very willing passer looking to find cutters or open 3s when the defense overhelps. Davis, an Ohio football commit, is great attacking the rim on cuts, while the diminutive Schroeder is one of the better shooters in the state. Knupp, an Eastern Michigan baseball commit, can do both. Olentangy can keep the floor spread for Brown as they have at least 5 players, including Brown, who can consistently knock down 3s. They will occasionally run some Princeton sets, but rarely run continuous flow. Defensively, Orange plays pressure all game long with full court man-to-man with any player given the license to jump a trap or a passing lane. They will overplay and not rotate at times, but they do generate a ton of steals. Against some of the more talented teams they play, they have settled into half court pressure only. I expect full court pressure against Sycamore.


Keys to the game for Sycamore:
-Do not have live ball turnovers. These are 2 points at a minimum against Orange.
-Get back on defense. Orange throws it long way more than you think is possible.
-Stay methodical, but attack the basket when Orange overplays.
-Don't overhelp on Brown in the half court and rely on Imade to limit him.

Keys to the game for Olentangy Orange:
-Force turnovers and run Sycamore out of the gym.
-Hit open 3s. They will likely be there with the way Sycamore packs it in.
-Don't help off Kimbrough.


Predicition:
I do not think Sycamore is going to win, but I do think they will keep it closer than everyone expects. They are not at an athletic disadvantage in this game. Orange is good because they can get out and run and they can shoot the 3. They don't overwhelm teams with their athleticism. Another factor is that Olentangy Orange has rarely played in low tempo games this year and I haven't seen many teams not try to play pressure against them. I have no idea why you would. They're too good in transition. The good thing is that is the last thing Sycamore would do.

There are two teams that jump out to me that Sycamore needs to try watch film on from the previous games Orange has played. The team immediately next to Sycamore in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings is Hilliard Bradley, who lost 62-51 and 58-48 in their two matchups with Orange this year. The only other team that plays nearly as methodical as Sycamore that Orange has seen has been Upper Arlington. They lost 46-36 and 55-40 in their two matchups with Orange, but the 55-40 game was tied at 38 at one point in the 4th. The common theme in these matchups with Bradley and Upper Arlington has been that they have been slower paced and got into the 4th quarter in 1-2 possession games. If Sycamore can get it to the 4th quarter within 4-6 points, then you never know.

Sycamore must take care of the ball and make this a halfcourt game. Then, they need to see how well Imade can limit Brown without the rest of the team overhelping. If you start overhelping, Orange has too many good shooters. On the other end, I'm curious to see what kind of scouting report that Orange comes into the game with against Sycamore. You never know what translates when teams are completely unfamiliar with one another. Wayne clearly didn't have a good one in the last round, as Imade and Kimbrough got loose in the 1st quarter to allow the Aves to build a lead that they never relinquished. Is Orange going to face guard Kimbrough? Are they going to just try to overwhelm Sycamore with pressure?

I think Sycamore gets it to the 4th quarter in single digits, but Orange is able to ice it. Orange wins 54-42.
 
Lakota East Thunderhawks vs. Fairfield Indians PREVIEW


Lakota East Thunderhawks 17-7 (11-5 in GMC)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #16 West Clermont 64-29, Beat SW-N #1 Centerville 47-44

Starters:
6'0" Fr Brady Bowman (5.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 39.8/34.7/66.7)
6'0" Jr Ashton Washburn (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 48.7/50.0/54.5)
6'1" Sr Michael Aikndele (8.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 46.6/31.0/69.0)
6'2" Sr Trey Perry (22.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 52.1/37.0/78.4)
6'5" Jr PJ MacFarlane (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 62.9/0.0/55.0)

Bench:
6'4" Fr JJ Smith (3.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 48.7/50.0/54.5)
6'2" So Brody Hayes (4.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 41.2/33.8/50.0)
6'2" Sr Eli Carpenter (1.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Overview:
Everything Lakota East does revolves around one of the best guards in the state in Trey Perry. While he is typically a PG, they primarily operate with him off the ball to get him in the best scoring positions with the freshman Bowman a very capable ball-handler. The offense is a 5-out or 4-round-1 motion with a lot of screens to get Perry free. East will also run designed sets to get Perry free. The only other player capable of creating his own shot is Akindele, who has been very streaky this year. Bowman can hit open 3s and MacFarlane can crash the boards. They have struggled at times offensively when Perry has not had a big game. Defensively, Lakota East plays an aggressive half court man-to-man and will sometimes extend to full court. While a solid defensive team, they aren't quite as good as previous versions of East, giving up 43.2% FG.


Fairfield Indians 17-7 (12-4 in GMC)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #10 Middletown 58-45, Beat SW-S #7 Elder 55-36

Starters:
5'11" Sr Michael Lewis (14.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 46.0/45.9/75.0)
6'0" Jr Riley Cunningham (3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 17-59 3FG)
6'2" Sr Daviawne Crim (13.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 46.7/37.6/78.5)
6'3" Sr Matthew Hilvert (4.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 35-96 3FG)
6'10" Sr Gabe Clemmons (9.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 51.4/22.6/45.5)

Bench:
6'8" So Demaceo Bronston (2.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 19-44 FG)
6'0" So Peyton Jones (2.1 ppg, 12-38 FG)

Overview:
Fairfield runs 4-corners or 4-round-one motion concepts with the intention of getting Lewis or Crim to create off of dribble drive penetration. Both are capable of getting all the way to the basket, hitting runners, or hitting 3s. The offense is predicated around this penetration and drive-and-kick with Cunningham and Hilvert strictly spot up shooters and Clemmons pretty much a catch-on-the-block and finish guy at this point in the year. The four senior starters all played at least some on the Regional Final runner-up team from two years ago, with Crim and Lewis playing key roles on that team, so the moment is not too big for them. Defensively, Fairfield is slightly more passive due to their lack of depth and will play a slightly more packed in man-to-man with some 2-3 zone mixed in. Clemmons is effective at deterring shots on the back end even if he doesn't block many, and they hold opponents to 41.4% FG.


Keys for Lakota East:
-Get someone else going to take the pressure off Perry. Akindele needs to have a big game.
-Avoid too many fouls. Fairfield leads the GMC in FTA
-Hit 3s. Fairfield does not extend as far out as other teams, so they will be there.

Keys for Fairfield:
-Make someone besides Perry beat you.
-Run Perry off the 3-point line. If Perry gets going from 3, East is a different offensive team.
-Avoid foul trouble. There simply isn't depth there to replace anyone.
-Run enough offensive action to make the driving lanes easier for Lewis and Crim.

Prediction:
These teams split in the regular season and I really could see this game going a number of ways. I think it will be moderately-paced, maybe in the upper 40s or low 50s with the game being close throughout. In a close game, I like the ability of Lewis and Crim to make plays and hit tough shots when they need them and I don't trust anyone on East to put the ball in the basket besides Perry. Fairfield wins 51-48.
 
Lakota West Firebirds vs. St. Xavier Bombers PREVIEW


Lakota West Firebirds 19-5 (12-4 in GMC)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #17 Hamilton 68-60, Beat SW #9 Oak Hills 54-47

Starters:
6'0" Jr Tyson Davis (4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 45.1/40.0/61.5)
6'3" So Joshua Tyson (16.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 61.3/40.7/77.8)
6'3" Sr Isaiah Meade-Moss (9.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 49.4/36.3/58.5)
6'4" So Bryce Curry (12.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 53.6/34.5/72.4)
6'6" Sr LJ Green (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 59.1/47.6/78.9)

Bench:
6'2" Sr Alex Dudukovich (5.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 46.1/22.9/87.5)
6'5" Sr Aaron Phipps (2.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 16-36 FG)

Overview:
Lakota West is a super efficient offensive team that runs a 4-round-1 dribble drive motion offense with heavy use of pick-and-rolls. The ball is frequently in the hands of super sophomores Joshua Tyson and Bryce Curry, both of whom have Power 5 offers, with big man LJ Green serving as the screener. Tyson might be the best sophomore guard in Ohio and is insanely efficient coming off the pick-and-roll. Curry is not quite as good with the ball in his hands but is a high flier in transition. Green is effective as both the roller and on pick-and-pop. Meade-Moss is a good off-the-ball players and can shoot the 3 or can cut to the rim and dunk. Dudukovich and Davis can also both create off the dribble. West shoots an insane 53.4% from the field and 36.2% from 3. Defensively, they play a combination of token full court man-to-man and a 1-3-1 3/4 court trap that they can pack back into the half court. They don't force a ton of turnovers, but they still hold opponents to 41.8% FG. They can sometimes lose focus on the defensive end. Overall though, this is one of the most talented teams in the state and, if you did the high school version of KenPom, also one of the most efficient. Dudukovich missed the last tournament game and is status is not known.


St. Xavier Bombers 19-5 (5-1 in GCL-S)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #19 Colerain 56-18, Beat SW-S #11 Lebanon 45-25

Starters:
5'9" Sr Brendan Deeley (5.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 39.1/18.2/70.2)
6'2" Jr Kobe Clapper (1.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 13-32 FG)
6'4" Jr Brayden Reilly (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 53.4/24.1/56.5)
6'5" Sr Donovan Waleskowski (13.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 49.5/43.0/71.4)
6'10" Sr Jacob Wassler (11.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 47.3/28.6/70.0)

Bench:
6'5" So Liam McGeady (3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 11-33 3FG)
6'2" Jr Jack Ryan (3.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 44.0/8.7/66.7)
5'9" Jr Jake Britt (0.3 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 2-11 FG)
5'9" Jr Luke Sorce (2.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 23-68 FG)
6'3" Jr Connor Bareswilt (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 18-40 FG)
5'11" Jr Brady McDonald (0.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 4-20 FG)
6'5" Jr John Veith (1.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 16-29 FG)

Overview:
The calling card for St. Xavier is the most effective man-to-man defense in the state. The GCL-S website doesn't report it, but I was told they allow around 35% FG on the season, which is insane. X will play pressure man-to-man out to half court and will also pick-up full court. They have great positional length and use their depth to keep players fresh so they can keep up the intensity. They will play physical and are a great rebounding team. In a couple rare instances this year (might have been fatigue), they didn't extend their defensive pressure and they got lit up. Offensively, X runs a Princeton-style motion offense with a lot of the action centered around Bellarmine-commit Jacob Wassler in the high post. He's an excellent passer and can shoot and score on the block, although he is not an efficient shooter. He is questionable for this game and might be out. If he's out, that leaves Donovan Waleskowski as their only offensive threat, and Waleskowski is still a little bit more of a spot up shooter, although he will come off screens. If you take away Waleskowski's contributions, the rest of the team shoots a horrid 24.3% from 3. This is also a poor foul shooting team at 62.8%. The rest of the team cuts hard and they have several guys that can finish at the rim, particularly Reilly and Ryan, but they don't have many players that can create their own shot.


Keys to the game for Lakota West:
-Great shot selection. When they get into the lane and pull-up or kick it, they are insanely efficient.
-Don't overplay and allow X to back-cut. Make them shoot from the outside.
-Don't lose Waleskowski, especially in transition.

Keys to the game for St. Xavier:
-Make it ugly. A slow-paced, physical slugfest in the 30s is ideal.
-Find the right balance between offense and defense. Despite X's great depth, they have too many guys who aren't offensive threats.
-Get Waleskowski loose for open looks. He's the only shooter on the team.

Prediction:
Lakota West beat St. X 61-56 in overtime just over 2 weeks ago, but Wassler played in that game. If Wassler doesn't play in this one (it seems like he isn't), I just don't see how X scores enough to win. Lakota West is too damn efficient offensively, and Joshua Tyson is simply the best player on the court, to think that you could hold them below 40, which is the point threshold that I think X needs to keep the game under. Lakota West will lead and X will have to extend pressure late, leading to some spectacular runout dunks from Curry and Meade-Moss. Lakota West wins 46-38.
 
I missed this from signing day a month ago, but congratulations to Samuel Imade for signing with Air Force.
 
JBaller said:
Lakota West Firebirds vs. St. Xavier Bombers PREVIEW


Lakota West Firebirds 19-5 (12-4 in GMC)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #17 Hamilton 68-60, Beat SW #9 Oak Hills 54-47

Starters:
6'0" Jr Tyson Davis (4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 45.1/40.0/61.5)
6'3" So Joshua Tyson (16.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 61.3/40.7/77.8)
6'3" Sr Isaiah Meade-Moss (9.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 49.4/36.3/58.5)
6'4" So Bryce Curry (12.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 53.6/34.5/72.4)
6'6" Sr LJ Green (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 59.1/47.6/78.9)

Bench:
6'2" Sr Alex Dudukovich (5.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 46.1/22.9/87.5)
6'5" Sr Aaron Phipps (2.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 16-36 FG)

Overview:
Lakota West is a super efficient offensive team that runs a 4-round-1 dribble drive motion offense with heavy use of pick-and-rolls. The ball is frequently in the hands of super sophomores Joshua Tyson and Bryce Curry, both of whom have Power 5 offers, with big man LJ Green serving as the screener. Tyson might be the best sophomore guard in Ohio and is insanely efficient coming off the pick-and-roll. Curry is not quite as good with the ball in his hands but is a high flier in transition. Green is effective as both the roller and on pick-and-pop. Meade-Moss is a good off-the-ball players and can shoot the 3 or can cut to the rim and dunk. Dudukovich and Davis can also both create off the dribble. West shoots an insane 53.4% from the field and 36.2% from 3. Defensively, they play a combination of token full court man-to-man and a 1-3-1 3/4 court trap that they can pack back into the half court. They don't force a ton of turnovers, but they still hold opponents to 41.8% FG. They can sometimes lose focus on the defensive end. Overall though, this is one of the most talented teams in the state and, if you did the high school version of KenPom, also one of the most efficient. Dudukovich missed the last tournament game and is status is not known.


St. Xavier Bombers 19-5 (5-1 in GCL-S)

How they got here: Beat SW-S #19 Colerain 56-18, Beat SW-S #11 Lebanon 45-25

Starters:
5'9" Sr Brendan Deeley (5.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 39.1/18.2/70.2)
6'2" Jr Kobe Clapper (1.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 13-32 FG)
6'4" Jr Brayden Reilly (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 53.4/24.1/56.5)
6'5" Sr Donovan Waleskowski (13.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 49.5/43.0/71.4)
6'10" Sr Jacob Wassler (11.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 47.3/28.6/70.0)

Bench:
6'5" So Liam McGeady (3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 11-33 3FG)
6'2" Jr Jack Ryan (3.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 44.0/8.7/66.7)
5'9" Jr Jake Britt (0.3 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 2-11 FG)
5'9" Jr Luke Sorce (2.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 23-68 FG)
6'3" Jr Connor Bareswilt (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 18-40 FG)
5'11" Jr Brady McDonald (0.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 4-20 FG)
6'5" Jr John Veith (1.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 16-29 FG)

Overview:
The calling card for St. Xavier is the most effective man-to-man defense in the state. The GCL-S website doesn't report it, but I was told they allow around 35% FG on the season, which is insane. X will play pressure man-to-man out to half court and will also pick-up full court. They have great positional length and use their depth to keep players fresh so they can keep up the intensity. They will play physical and are a great rebounding team. In a couple rare instances this year (might have been fatigue), they didn't extend their defensive pressure and they got lit up. Offensively, X runs a Princeton-style motion offense with a lot of the action centered around Bellarmine-commit Jacob Wassler in the high post. He's an excellent passer and can shoot and score on the block, although he is not an efficient shooter. He is questionable for this game and might be out. If he's out, that leaves Donovan Waleskowski as their only offensive threat, and Waleskowski is still a little bit more of a spot up shooter, although he will come off screens. If you take away Waleskowski's contributions, the rest of the team shoots a horrid 24.3% from 3. This is also a poor foul shooting team at 62.8%. The rest of the team cuts hard and they have several guys that can finish at the rim, particularly Reilly and Ryan, but they don't have many players that can create their own shot.


Keys to the game for Lakota West:
-Great shot selection. When they get into the lane and pull-up or kick it, they are insanely efficient.
-Don't overplay and allow X to back-cut. Make them shoot from the outside.
-Don't lose Waleskowski, especially in transition.

Keys to the game for St. Xavier:
-Make it ugly. A slow-paced, physical slugfest in the 30s is ideal.
-Find the right balance between offense and defense. Despite X's great depth, they have too many guys who aren't offensive threats.
-Get Waleskowski loose for open looks. He's the only shooter on the team.

Prediction:
Lakota West beat St. X 61-56 in overtime just over 2 weeks ago, but Wassler played in that game. If Wassler doesn't play in this one (it seems like he isn't), I just don't see how X scores enough to win. Lakota West is too damn efficient offensively, and Joshua Tyson is simply the best player on the court, to think that you could hold them below 40, which is the point threshold that I think X needs to keep the game under. Lakota West will lead and X will have to extend pressure late, leading to some spectacular runout dunks from Curry and Meade-Moss. Lakota West wins 46-38.
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heard that the x big is out...
 
Orange has hit 3s on 4 straight possessions and Sycamore just took a TO down 28-11. Orange has made 7 3s already.
 
Orange beats Sycamore 67-32. I don’t think the Region 4 winner will be within 15 points of them in the semifinal.
 
Lakota West beats St. X 36-29.

Lakota West vs. Fairfield for an all-GMC Region 4 final. Fairfield won both games in the regular season by a combined 3 points.
 
Doublehelix said:
At the 75% mark of the season, and after seeing numerous teams throughout the region, I think the GMC has the best shot at winning the region.
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It got to be pretty obvious as the season unfolded the GCL didn't have the offensive firepower to win the region.

Will they care, or roll out the 1980s again next year? Sadly, I think I know the answer.
 
Doublehelix said:
It got to be pretty obvious as the season unfolded the GCL didn't have the offensive firepower to win the region.

Will they care, or roll out the 1980s again next year? Sadly, I think I know the answer.
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St X played last night without their 6'10 D1 player...Moeller played all year without their 6'10 D1 player. I kind of believe they would have been OK with them.
 
hoopsfan2024 said:
St X played last night without their 6'10 D1 player...Moeller played all year without their 6'10 D1 player. I kind of believe they would have been OK with them.
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X played the whole season with their big guy, and their offense wasn't very good. They didn't have enough options that could score the ball, and it caught up to them.

Moeller was much the same. It's much better to have 5-6 legit threats (don't have to be D1) than 1-2 dedicated scorers. But the game isn't taught that way in Cincinnati, as most will come to find out when they watch Orange and Iggy.
 
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