Month: November 2021

by Rob Ellis

Week 2 Power Rankings Breakdown

Dayton, Ohio — After some big showdowns on Friday and Saturday, the Week 2 rankings have a little bit of shifting to do. Botkins picked up a big SCAL victory over Jackson Center to start off the year. Trotwood came back from behind to defeat CJ and Alter sealed a huge win against Homestead off of a buzzer beater.

This article will break down the Preseason Power Rankings that were released yesterday across our social media platforms. These rankings will be released on a weekly basis throughout the season.

D1

1)Centerville | 0-0 (0-0, GWOC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: N/A

GAMES THIS WEEK: N/A

TOP PERFORMANCES: N/A

2)Beavercreek | 1-0 (0-0, GWOC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 83-48 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(FRI), at(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Adam Duvall: 24 points, 10 rebounds (FRI)

3)Fairmont | 1-0 (0-0, GWOC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 79-27 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(TUE), vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Anthony Johnson: 24 points, 6 rebounds (FRI)

4)Wayne | 1-0 (0-0, GWOC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 50-47 at(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Lawrent Rice: 24 points, 11 rebounds (SAT)

5)Miamisburg | 1-0 (0-0, GWOC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 54-32 at(WED)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(TUE), vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Daryl Cooper: 18 points, 7 rebounds (WED)

Miamisburg junior Daryl Cooper

OTHERS: Franklin, Northmont

D2

1)Alter | 1-0 (0-0, GCL Co-Ed) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 68-65 at(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI), vs(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Jacob Conner: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks (SAT)

Alter senior Jacob Conner

2)Trotwood-Madison | 1-0 |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 79-76 at(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(TUE), vs(FRI), vs(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Tim Carpenter: 25 points (SAT)

Trotwood-Madison sophomore Tim Carpenter

3)Dunbar | 0-2 (0-0, DCL) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: L, 71-65 at(FRI), L, 47-46 at(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Antone Allen: 24 points, 5 rebounds (FRI)

4)Oakwood | 0-0 (0-0, SWBL) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: N/A

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(TUE), vs(FRI), at(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: N/A

5)Chaminade Julienne | 0-1 (0-0, GCL Co-Ed) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: L, 79-76 vs(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(TUE), vs(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Evan Dickey: 20 points, 5 steals (SAT)

Chaminade Julienne junior Evan Dickey

OTHERS: Tippecanoe

D3

1)Versailles | 0-0 (0-0, MAC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: N/A

GAMES THIS WEEK: N/A

TOP PERFORMANCES: N/A

2)Preble Shawnee | 0-0 (0-0, WOAC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: N/A

GAMES THIS WEEK: N/A

TOP PERFORMANCES: N/A

3)Springfield Shawnee | 1-0 (0-0, CBC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 60-41 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Zion Crowe: 25 points, 5 rebounds (FRI)

4)Stivers | 0-0 (0-0, DCL) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: N/A

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(TUE), at(FRI), vs(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: N/A

5)Arcanum | 1-0 (0-0, WOAC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 46-32 at(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Nick Sharritts: 10 points, 6 rebounds (SAT)

OTHERS: Meadowdale, Anna

D4

1) Tri-Village | 0-1 (0-0, WOAC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: L, 60-46 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI), at(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Layne Sarver: 20 points, 5 rebounds (FRI)

Tri-Village senior Layne Sarver

2) Botkins | 1-0 (1-0, SCAL) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 34-24 vs(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Carter Pleiman: 18 points (FRI)

3)New Bremen | 2-0 (0-0, MAC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 62-43 vs(FRI), W, 83-56 vs(SAT)

GAMES THIS WEEK: at(FRI), at(SAT)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Reece Busse: 20 points (SAT)

4)Catholic Central | 1-0 (0-0, OHC) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: W, 54-40 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Ashton Young: 15 points, 5 rebounds (FRI)

5)Jackson Center | 0-1 (0-1, SCAL) |

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK: L, 34-24 at(FRI)

GAMES THIS WEEK: vs(FRI)

TOP PERFORMANCES: Lucas Hartle: 9 points (FRI)

OTHERS: Fort Recovery, Russia, Fort Loramie, Troy Christian

by Rob Ellis

Trotwood pulls off a comeback victory over CJ

Dayton, Ohio — Two very storied programs clashed on Saturday night as Chaminade Julienne hosted Trotwood-Madison for an out of conference bout. A 25 point performance for Trotwood sophomore Tim Carpenter helped lead the Rams all the way back for the eventual 79-76 victory after trailing the entire game.

CJ comes into this season fresh off of a regional title from last season. Sophomore Jonathan Powell was a big reason why the Eagles had a late surge. As just a freshman, he had 25 points against Alter in the tournament last year. CJ did graduate A.J. Solomon and Dan Nauseef who were both big pieces of their state semi-final run, but they return an experienced group into this year.

Chaminade Julienne sophomore Jonathan Powell

Trotwood returns a very young group this year. They graduated their leading scorer Anthony McComb who dominated his lone season with the Rams. They will play a lineup filled with sophomores this year as Delamarr Blanton, Tim Carpenter, and Will Yates will round out a deep 2024 class that the Rams have.

Trotwood-Madison sophomores Will Yates and Delamarr Blanton

CJ got off to a quick start as Luke Chandler drilled a corner three. Then following a Josiah Bowman block, Chandler hit his second three of the quarter to give CJ the early 6-1 lead.

After some back and forth scoring, Jonathan Powell got a chasedown for the Eagles but Will Yates was able to put it back up for and-one. Yates was then fouled on his three point attempt at the buzzer. After going 3/3 from the line, the Rams led 20-18 heading into the second quarter.

Trotwood-Madison sophomore Will Yates

Josiah Bowman scored six straight points for CJ to open up the second quarter. This helped CJ grab a 30-22 lead. Evan Dickey then scored a pair of baskets but a three at the buzzer from Will Yates cut CJ halftime lead down to six as they led 38-32.

Chaminade Julienne senior Josiah Bowman

Josiah Bowman helped CJ maintain a double digit lead in the third quarter. Trotwood began to go on a run however, as Tim Carpenter was controlling the offensive glass. Carpenter scored five straight times to tie the game. Will Yates then gave the Rams the lead off of a three to end the quarter as Trotwood led 56-53.

Trotwood-Madison sophomore Tim Carpenter

The Rams would extend the lead to seven off of a Mykell Morton layup. Powell would drain a corner three to bring CJ back within three. Then just moments later, Jonathan Powell found the bottom of the net again from the exact same spot to cut the deficit to three points. Delamarr Blanton would respond right back as he hit a step-back three to put the Rams back up big six.

Trotwood-Madison sophomore Delamarr Blanton

CJ got back within two points after a pair of scores from Evan Dickey and then a bucket from Luke Chandler. Dickey and Mike Smith would trade baskets. Down 75-72 with 50 seconds left, Dickey pocked the ball loose and forced a jump ball. This would give the Eagles a chance to tie the game with under a minute left.

Dickey decided to drive to the rim instead of attempting a three and his layup was too strong. CJ was forced to foul and Trotwood went 1/2 at the line. This gave the Eagles hope as they trailed 76-72 with 30 seconds remaining. Josiah Bowman cut the deficit to 76-74 with his layup and then CJ used their last timeout.

Chaminade Julienne junior Evan Dickey

Will Yates then was fouled and sent to shoot two free-throws in the double bonus. Yates went 1/2 at the line got extend the lead to 77-74 but he opened the door for CJ. Dickey was fouled while trying to receive the inbounds pass so he went to the line and drained both free throws. With just 15 seconds left, CJ was forced to immediately foul.

Delamarr Blanton was able to knockdown two clutch free throws in his first career varsity game. This gave Trotwood a 79-76 lead with 9 seconds to go.

The Eagles inbounded it to their star sophomore Powell. He dribbled quickly up the court but his off-balanced attempt to tie was just short. Evan Dickey’s three was after the buzzer but it was too strong as Trotwood-Madison held on and defeated Chaminade Julienne 79-76 to open up the season.

Tim Carpenter had a game high 25 points for Trotwood-Madison. The sophomore forward dominated the glass in the second half and was a big reason why the Rams were able to comeback in this game. Will Yates added on 17 points for Trotwood as they improve to 1-0. Their next game will be at home on Tuesday against Stivers.

Trotwood-Madison sophomore Tim Carpenter

Evan Dickey led the Eagles with 20 points and steals. Jonathan Powell finished with 19 points, Josiah Bowman 16 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Chandler had 10 points with a pair of threes. The Eagles will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they face Thurgood Marshall.

by Rob Ellis

Alter knocks off Purdue commit Fletcher Loyer and Homestead at the buzzer

Mason, Ohio — The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic headlined Marshall commit Jacob Conner against Purdue commit Fletcher Loyer on Saturday afternoon. This game was a back and forth battle. Homestead pulled away multiple times, but some key plays down the stretch from Alter and a three at the buzzer from A.J. Leen was enough to pull the Knights past one of the top teams in the Midwest.

After winning a district title in 2020, Alter 15-8 last year and in the middle of the GCL Co-Ed. Coming into 2022, the Knights have high expectations as they return a loaded cast of players including Conner and their talented guard tandem of Ryan Chew, A.J. Leen, Anthony Ruffolo, and Gavin Geisel.

Alter seniors Jacob Conner and Ryan Chew

Homestead comes into this year also with high expectations. The Spartans finished out an undefeated regular season last year before falling in the Indiana regional semifinals to Carmel. They graduated Luke Goode who is now playing at Illinois University but they still return a talented group including Purdue commit Fletcher Loyer.

Homestead senior Fletcher Loyer

Jacob Conner came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. The 6’9″ guard hit a pair of threes, including an and-one three as Alter scored the first seven points of the night. Homstead remained poised and led a balanced scoring attack to take a 17-14 lead at the end of the quarter.

Alter senior Jacob Conner

Homestead continued to have the hot hand in the second quarter as they drilled everything on the perimeter. An and-one from Loyer put the Spartans up nine. A pair of layups from Alter’s Gavin Geisel brought the Knights back within four points.

Homestead went on another run Loyer continued to shoot the ball well. His corner three gave Homstead their first double digit lead of the night. Jacob Conner finished off the half with a transition dunk but his Alter Knights trailed 32-26 at halftime.

Alter went on a run to begin the second half as Ryan Chew knocked down a pair of threes. Then a three from Geisel gave Alter their first lead of the half as Alter went on an 11-3 run to begin the third quarter. Loyer would quickly respond as the Spartans took the lead right back off of a three from the Purdue commit.

Alter senior Ryan Chew

A late and-one from Jacob Conner cut Homestead’s lead down to two at the end of the quarter. Alter trailed 47-45 heading into the final quarter.

After a three from Conner, Anthony Ruffolo gave Alter back the lead on a put back off of his own miss. Both teams began trading baskets. After Homestead took a five point lead, Conner would respond to Loyer’s three with one of his own. A.J. Leen’s putback to tie the game was rejected off of the backboard and Alter was forced to foul with 48 seconds remaining and trailing by two.

Loyer would go 2/2 from the line would gave the Spartans a 63-59 lead. Ryan Chew then dribbled quickly up the court and found Anthony Ruffolo open in the corner. The junior knocked down the open shot to make it a 63-62 game with 35 seconds left. Chew was forced to foul which was his fifth of the night.

Homestead missed the front end of the one and one. Alter brought the ball up and Gavin Geisel dished it to Ruffolo once more who made the clutch layup with some contact as Alter took a 65-63 lead with 21 seconds left. Loyer’s three to take the lead was wide right and Ruffolo pulled in the long rebound. Alter then called their last timeout with the ball at midcourt and just 8 seconds left.

Alter junior Anthony Ruffolo

Ruffolo’s inbound pass was then tipped and stolen was Loyer who was then fouled on the floor. This sent the senior Purdue commit to the line shooting two as the Spartans entered the double bonus. He was able to convert on both to tie the at 65 with 5 seconds remaining.

Ruffolo quickly brought the ball up the court and then was fouled. That was Homestead’s sixth team foul so Alter wasn’t quite yet in the bonus. That gave the Knights one last chance in regulation. Gavin Leen was the inbounder with 1.7 seconds left and he found A.J. Leen who had an open look off of a screen. Leen then drilled the pullup three and Mason Arena went into pandemonium.

Alter junior A.J. Leen

Alter starts off the year 1-0 with a huge win over a great Homestead team from Indiana. Jacob Conner finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in the victory. Fletcher Loyer had 28 points for Homestead in the tough loss. Ryan Chew had 11 points off of three three’s and A.J. Leen had 10 points including the game winner. The Knights will be back in action with just as big of a test against Moeller next Friday.

by Rob Ellis

Dudukovich’s 32 points gives Lakota West a dominant opening win over Franklin

Mason, Ohio — The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic opened up the high school basketball season for a handful of teams. The event based in Mason, Ohio featured some intriguing matchups this weekend as the two-day event was packed with talent.

Lakota West made a statement in their opener after their 78-42 blowout victory over Franklin. Nathan Dudukovich dropped a career high 32 points as he was unstoppable all day long for the Firebirds.

Lakota West junior guard Nathan Dudukovich

Franklin lost some key pieces from their 20-2 team from last year. They replaced senior guard Tez Lattimore with freshman Kai Cook. Losing a key shooter in Jayden Bennett also proved to be negative for the Wildcats as they shot just 16% from three in the loss. Lucky for Franklin, their first game won’t decide their season and they’ll have a lot of time to give their younger players experience.

Lakota West opened up the game on an 11-1 run as the Firebirds came out with a lot of aggression. Nate Paarlberg and Noah Rich helped Franklin comeback as they trailed 14-8 at the end of the quarter.

Franklin senior forward Noah Rich

After heading out to a double digit lead to begin the second quarter, Franklin battled back once again. A transition three from Noah Rich capped off a Wildcat run that saw Lakota West’s lead dwindle down to just two points.

Dudukovich began to catch from three. After a pair of threes from the junior guard, William Layfield converted an and-one to extend West’s lead back to double digits as they led 32-20. Dudukovich then threw down a slam in transition to cap off the run to end the half as Lakota West led 36-22 at halftime.

Lakota West junior guard Nathan Dudukovich

Layfield hit a pair of threes to open up the second half and Lakota West suddenly had a twenty point lead. Lakota West’s lead grew to 25 points after Nathan Dudukovich converted his second and-one of the quarter. Dudukovich then drove coast to coast for his third and-one to extend the Firebirds’ lead to thirty points. Dudukovich wasn’t finished just yet. He would convert on yet another and-one and then hit a three to give Lakota West a 68-33 lead heading into the final quarter.

Lakota West senior guard William Layfield

Lakota West continued to shoot the ball well in the final quarter as they ran away with a 78-42 season opening victory over Franklin. Nathan Dudukovich had a game high 32 points as he went 5/12 from three and 11/20 from the field. William Layfield had 15 points for Lakota West and Bryson Curry added on 10 points as well.

Noah Rich had 15 points for Franklin and Taylor University commit Nate Paarlberg also reached double figures as he finished with 10 points. The duo of Rich and Paarlberg will cause problems all year long for defenses in the SWBL. A tough first game should be just the start for this group. Franklin has a lot of potential and should be one of the better teams in Southwest Ohio by the time March rolls around.