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2016-2017 NEO Boys Basketball

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MoFlo

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D II preview (My alma mater coming in at #2 in the Top 15):

TOP 15

1. St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish

Coach: Dru Joyce (16th season)

2015-16 record: 26-4, state finalist

Returning starters: John Williams (5-11, Sr., PG, 9.2 points, 5.3 assists, 1.9 steals), Jayvon Graves (6-2, Sr., G, 16.5 points, 2.4 steals)

Rotation: Malik Wooldridge (5-9, Sr., G, 2.4 points), DeAmonte King (6-0, Sr., G, 2.7 points), Justin Sampson (6-4, Sr., F, 2.2 points), Scott Walter (5-9, Jr., G), Chris Painter (5-9, So., G), Darius Cone (6-3, So., F), Lunden McDay (6-1, So., G/F), Keyshawn Jones (6-5, So., F), Tyrus Toney (5-9, Jr., G), Dominique Moegerle (6-3, Fr., F), Marcus Jones (6-3, Fr., F)

Outlook: STVM will be small, athletic and fast. That’s Joyce early characterization of a team trying to return to state finals, where it lost last season to New Concord John Glenn. Gone are Henry Baddley, now at Butler, and some bulk inside that included football standout Niko Lalos. Kameron Ivory transferred to Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy. However, the Irish sport one of the state’s top backcourts with Williams (Robert Morris commit) and Graves (Buffalo). “We may have a slower start,” Joyce said, “but I truly believe when it counts we’ll be good.”

2. Central Catholic Ironmen

Coach: Jordan Duke (2nd season)

2015-16 record: 17-8 (9-1 NCL White Division), Stow District finalist

Returning starters: Delshawn Jackson (6-0, Jr., G), Dyshawn Jackson (6-0, Jr., G), Tyler Golphin (6-1, Sr., G), Miryne Thomas (6-7, Sr., F)

Rotation: Alex Heath (5-9, Jr., PG), Dion Ivory (6-0, Sr., G), Armond Lillard (6-5, Sr., F), Dwight Love (6-6, Jr., F), Cameron Cunningham (6-3, Sr., G), Jerry Coleman (6-2, Jr., G), Nate Fuentes (6-0, Jr., PG), Anthony Billups (5-10, Jr., G), Trevon Wells (6-4, So., F), Jyland Mathis (6-4, Sr., G/F), Sh’ron Smith (5-11, Sr., G)

Outlook: Gone is Tervell Beck. The standout and matchup nightmare is attending prep school in Oklahoma following a senior season at Central Catholic that ended with a loss to NCL-rival Benedictine. The two schools could again be favorites in the Stow district, and no 6-7 Beck means guards rule Central Catholic. Twins Delshawn and Dyshawn Jackson are back, bringing Delshawn’s offensive spark and Dyshawn’s defensive reliance on the opposition’s best perimeter threat. An addition is Heath, who transferred from Division IV regional finalist Lutheran East. Heath will be the point guard. Inside, the Ironmen will lean on Thomas. He returns after an initial season since transferring from St. Martin de Porres and is committed to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Also back is Lillard, who missed about five games with a fractured bone in his ankle and is now at full strength. Lillard’s older brother and former Central Catholic standout Antwon Lillard is now a starter at Bowling Green. Duke, meanwhile, gets his first repeat year with the Ironmen. The Chanel graduate served as an interim coach for the 2014 postseason.


3. Benedictine Bengals

Coach: Rob Stircula (2nd season, 8th overall)

2015-16 record: 22-5 (8-2 NCL Blue Division), Canton Regional finalist

Returning starters: Chris Jefferson (5-11, Jr., G), Marlon Moore (6-5, Sr., F, 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds)

Rotation: JaMari Patterson (5-7, Sr., PG), Ronnie James (5-9, Sr., G), Devon Fox (6-1, So., G), Landon Robinson (6-3, Sr., F), Davin Zeigler (6-1, So., F), Jonathon Stallworth (6-7, Sr., F), Mario Caywood (6-5, Jr., F), Lenel Camp (6-4, Sr., F), Andy Barba (6-3, Fr., F), Anthony Maxie (6-5, Fr., F), Jashun Cobb (5-11, Fr., G), Eric Buckner (5-9, Fr., G), Antoine Hudson (6-2, Sr., G/F), Bryan Washington (6-7, Jr., F)

Outlook: When Stircula returned last year to the Bengals, he predicted a run to the regional finals during an initial meeting with players. Here they are now. All-Ohio point guard Justin Layne graduated and is playing football at Michigan State. Big man Justin Sylver also graduated. Stircula still thinks his team can be better. They will press up front, and even Moore will play more on the perimeter. The West Liberty commit also plays baseball.

4. East Tech Scarabs

Coach: Brett Moore (12th season)

2015-16 record: 21-4 (12-0 Senate Athletic League), Stow District semifinalist

Returning starters: Tyshaun Howard (6-2, Sr., G, 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds), Tyler Kelso (6-7, Sr., C, 3.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks), LeVar Briggs (6-5, Sr., G/F, 4.2 points)

Rotation: Isaiah Washington (5-9, Sr., G), Aaron Pate (6-3, Sr., F), Jose Peraza (6-1, Jr., G, 5.7 points), Julian Huff (6-2, Jr., G/F, 2.3 points), Aaron Beddell (5-11, Jr., G)

Outlook: Think East Tech is in a rebuild after Markell Johnson? Think again. Johnson, the state’s co-player of the year in Division II and cleveland.com player of the year, is now at North Carolina State. Howard showed a promising junior campaign playing along side him and has two newcomers in Washington and Pate. Both must sit out the first 11 games after Washington transferred from Rhodes and Pate arrived from John Hay. They will be back in time for a Jan. 21, 2017 trip to Cincinnati Taft.

5. Bay Rockets

Coach: Jared Shetzer (4th season)

2015-16 record: 24-4 (10-2 GLC), state semifinalist

Returning starters: Jack Jelen (6-0, Sr., PG, 10.3 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds), Erik Painter (6-0, So., G, 12.2 points, 2.9 assists), R.J. Sunahara (6-6, Jr., C, 12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks)

Rotation: Nick Cady (6-3, Sr., C), Park Altieri (5-11, Sr., G), Daniel Brajdic (6-0, Jr., G), Max Showalter (6-1, So., G), Christian Dupps (6-4, So., C)

Outlook: Coming off their first state semifinal appearance in program history, the Rockets graduated standout John Koz. He is now a walk-on at Cincinnati. Jelen also is out after suffering a season-ending injury with hopes of returning in time for the postseason. That could put a greater burden on Painter, who started as a freshman last season. He is part of a talented sophomore class, which will produce four more players in this lineup. Problem is, none of them have varsity experience. “Things are going to have to happen really fast, but it’s OK,” Shetzer said. Bay is used to working at a quick pace. The Rockets were among the state’s highest scoring teams, averaging 79.7 points and reaching 90 on nine occasions. Shetzer thinks they can average 80 points per game.

6. Holy Name Green Wave

Coach: Jeff Huber (7th season)

2015-16 record: 8-16 (4-8 GLC), North Ridgeville District quarterfinalist

Returning starters: Dwayne Cohill (6-2, Jr., G, 26.2 points, 8.3 rebounds), Sean Hickey (5-11, Sr., G, 14.5 points, 46 percent 3-point shooting), Ralph Vance (5-10, Sr., G, 5.0 points), Brandon Styers (5-10, Jr., G, 7.1 points, 47 percent 3-point shooting), Nick Opincar (6-3, Sr., F, 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds)

Rotation: Malique Burton (6-9, Sr., C), Joe Petrilla (5-8, Jr., G, 3.1 points), Colin Gray (6-0, Sr., F), Jon Minnich (6-2, Jr., F)

Outlook: Colleges from Ohio State to Northwestern have offered scholarships to Cohill, who helped the Green Wave to a regional run as a freshman. He has help in the form of four other returning starters and the addition of Burton, who transferred last season from St. Ignatius. Burton was not eligible to play because of the mid-year move but is available to start this season. Cohill, a 1,000-point scorer, has a chance to break the school’s all-time record of 1,570. Hickey is on the verge of breaking 1,000. They will initiate an offense that can stretch defenses with four shooters. After having only one senior last season, Holy Name is poised for a bounce-back performance.

7. Orange Lions

Coach: Derrick Zeigler (5th season)

2015-16 record: 19-6 (9-5 Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division), Stow District semifinalist

Returning starters: Jalen Warren (6-2, Sr., G, 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds), Jaylan Hewitt (6-4, Sr., G/F, 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds), Jordan Thompson (6-1, Sr., G, 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds)

Rotation:
Randy Crosby (5-8, Sr., PG, 5.0 points, 2.0 assists)

Outlook: Orange should be able to score under Zeigler, the fifth-year coach who played at Cleveland State in the mid 1990s. Chief among the scorers is Hewitt, an athletic guard who can shoot with range. He holds a college offer from Walsh. Defensively, there could be questions. Donyell Marshall Jr. graduated and took his shot-blocking ability with him. Marshall, a 6-8 forward, is now playing for his father at Central Connecticut. As for who is back, Crosby served as the backup point guard, but moves into the starting role this season. The Lions seek their first CVC crown in 14 years.

8. Crestwood Red Devils

Coach: Josh Jakacki (2nd season)

2015-16 record: 14-9 (2nd in Portage Trail Conference), Stow District participant

Returning starters: Jordan Fabry (6-4, Sr., G/F, 24.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists), Jake Krupp (6-0, Sr., G, 11.1 points, 2.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds), Logan Thut (6-4, Sr., F, 6.0 points, 8.2 rebounds)

Rotation: Colton Rahach (5-11, Sr., G, 4.2 points, 1.5 assists), Aaron Cox (6-4, Sr., F, 4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds)

Outlook: An experienced squad, Crestwood suffered a first-round upset last season in the sectional tournament. This team should be improved with Fabry leading the way. He is the school’s second all-time scorer.

9. Clearview Clippers

Coach: John Szalay (26th season)

2015-16 record: 17-7 (13-3 Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division), North Ridgeville District semifinalist

Returning starters: Deuce Martin (6-2, Sr., G, 12.0 points)

Rotation: DeAri Todd (6-3, Sr., F/C, 10.0 points), Jamel Billings (5-9, Sr., G, 8.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals), Javon Todd (5-8, So., G), Sam Daniels (5-10, Jr., G), Jacob Kozich (5-10, Sr., G), Tracy Daniels (6-1, Sr., F/C), Evan Berrios (6-0, Jr., G)

Outlook: The defending PAC Stripes Division champs bring back Martin, a standout baseball player, and DeAri Todd, a big defensive end on the football team. The Clippers possess depth, despite their losses to graduation and will need their defensive prowess to make up unproven scoring entering the season. They will have time to prepare for a tough January stretch that includes non-conference matchups with Bay and Lorain, plus PAC-rival Oberlin.

10. Padua Bruins

Coach: Brian Ansberry (1st season)

2015-16 record: 12-10 (3-7 NCL Blue Division), North Ridgeville District participant

Returning starters: Jake Creadon (6-4, Sr., PG, 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists), Kevin Peterson (6-6, Jr., F, 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists), Cameron Drum (6-3, Jr., G/F, 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds)

Rotation: Alex Ludwick (6-1, Sr., G, 4.9 points), Nick Pullar (6-1, Sr., G, 3.1 points), John Adamich (6-2, Sr., G), Mikey Morsille (5-10, So., PG), Joe Monnin (6-3, Jr., G), Alec Marcinowski (6-8, Jr., C), Dan Stuszczynski (6-4, G), A.J. Barnes (6-4, F)

Outlook: A St. Edward graduate, Ansberry previously coached at Lake Ridge. He takes over a team poised to improve on last season’s mark with five of its top players back. The guards have length, too. Creadon and Drum supply dangerous 3-point shooting, while Peterson nearly guided the football team to a playoff berth as the quarterback until a late-season injury. Stuszczynski and Barnes will be available after 11 games, transferring from Brecksville and Aurora.

STARTING FIVE

Dwayne Cohill, Holy Name, Jr., G: It was a busy offseason for Cohill, and that didn’t count his appearance on ESPN SportsCenter during the Cavaliers’ playoff run. He played in Italy during the spring with Garfield Heights’ Marreon Jackson and received an offer from Ohio State a month later.

Jayvon Graves, STVM, Sr., G: Graves received second-team All-Ohio honors last season from The Associated Press. He committed to Buffalo in the fall.

Marlon Moore, Benedictine, Sr., F: Also a baseball standout, Moore should be able to spread his basketball game this winter. Coach Rob Stircula said he plans to use the 6-5 Moore, mostly a post player last season, on the perimeter a little more.

Pete Nance, Revere, Jr., F: Like Cohill, Ohio State has expressed interest in Nance. Michigan, Purdue and Tennessee also offered a scholarship to the 6-9 Nance.

John Williams, STVM, Sr., PG: Robert Morris will be Williams’ home next year. For now, he makes up arguably the top backcourt in the state with Graves.

Second team: Jordan Fabry, Crestwood, Sr., G; Tyshaun Howard, East Tech, Sr., G; Jaylan Hewitt, Orange, Sr., G/F; R.J. Sunahara, Bay, Jr., C; Miryne Thomas, Central Catholic, Sr., F.

http://highschoolsports.cleveland.c...ion-ii-chase-2016-17-boys-basketball-preview/
 
Only posted the Top 10 and left some other stuff out.

Will post the DIII and DIV previews shortly. DI preview comes tomorrow.
 
Glad to see Crestwood getting some pub at #8. That's my dad's alma mater, and I did some student teaching out there a few years ago. That said, they don't belong anywhere near this list.

They'll have a great record this year because they're playing in a league with a bunch of DIV schools, but they'll be lucky to even make it to District play.

Hopefully this thread actually gets some activity. I'm a pretty avid follower of area teams. I coached girls the last 7 years at a DII school in an excellent league (we were decent), and even got a District title in there along the way. Was really looking forward to another District run this year, but my teaching career took me elsewhere. Now I'm in my first year coaching boys at a D1 school. I guess the point is that I have a vested interest in a quite a few area teams. Would love to hear from others on this.
 
Good to see Holy Name have respectable athletes now a days. Too many fat white guys roamed the halls in my time there. Also, I notice not one recognizable last name. Good to see HN mixing it up by finding and playing the most talented kids on the team.
 
Anybody going to any games tonight?
 
Anybody going to any games tonight?

End up catching any?

Crazy what happened at Central Catholic/St. V game. Ashamed that happened at my alma mater. I'm expecting severe punishment for at least one of the schools, if not both.
 
End up catching any?

Crazy what happened at Central Catholic/St. V game. Ashamed that happened at my alma mater. I'm expecting severe punishment for at least one of the schools, if not both.

With my own game schedule, I don't see much outside of my own program with the exception of scouting trips.

My guess is that CCC punishes themselves, suspends some players, and St. V does nothing. I've never had a ton of respect for Dru Joyce and how he runs his program, and his comments regarding the incident really rubbed me the wrong way.
 
With my own game schedule, I don't see much outside of my own program with the exception of scouting trips.

My guess is that CCC punishes themselves, suspends some players, and St. V does nothing. I've never had a ton of respect for Dru Joyce and how he runs his program, and his comments regarding the incident really rubbed me the wrong way.

Missed his comments, what'd he say?
 
Missed his comments, what'd he say?

"I just hate that it had to end like that," said STVM coach Dru Joyce, beginning his 16th season at the school after his 15th ended with the Fighting Irish finishing as Division II's runner-up. "I'm just trying to make (my team) understand that we have to show more composure. It was a dirty foul. Then the kid went to try and swing at our guy, but our guy jumped up to defend himself.

"Instead of the ref just standing there calling it (an) intentional (foul), he should have recognized (the tensions) and got between them. Had he done that, nothing would have happened."

http://highschoolsports.cleveland.c...ral-catholic-70-53-but-fight-ends-game-early/

Just him blaming everybody but himself, and his own team, and not understanding an official's role in the game is not to break up fights. They are actually taught not to get involved in any physical altercations to avoid any liability on their own end.
 
http://onthebenchpodcast.com/

Not sure how many people around here follow the High School hoops circuit, but this is a pretty good podcast. Just starting up again for the new season.
 
LaMelo Ball coming to SPIRE Academy in Geneva, OH
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
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