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MVP Boys Hoop Preview: Teams & Players to Watch
By Kurt Stubbs
MVP BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2011
SUPER SIX TEAMS TO WATCH
DUNBAR
• The Wolverines were (20-3) last season with its season coming to an end thanks to rival Dayton Thurgood Marshall in the regional. Dunbar beat Thurgood twice in the regular season, but fell short in its third attempt. Coach Pete Pullen’s teams have been the gold standard in Division II over the last seven years winning three state championships and appearing in another. Last season, Dunbar struggled for much of the year to solidify its guard spots, and still managed to win 20 games. Fast forward to this year, and the problem has been fixed thanks to Creighton signee Andre Yates (6’1/Sr.) transferring over from neighboring Trotwood-Madison and freshman Amos “AJ” Harris (5’9). Yates averaged 15.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 steals as a junior for the Rams. Harris is rated as one of the top point guards in the country. Don’t be fooled by the goggles, the lefty can run a team and has poise well beyond his years. Yates and Harris will be a nice fit with the best three-man front court in Ohio featuring Deontae “Teddy” Hawkins (6’7/Sr.), Gary Akbar (6’5/Sr.), and Damarion Geter (6’6/Jr.). Hawkins, who averaged just below 17 points per outing as a junior, will play at Wichita State and Akbar, who was true for 11.2 points and over 10 boards a game, is headed to Cleveland State. LaQuan Archie (5’9/Sr.), Tavyonne Hunt (6’0/Sr.), talented sophomore William Green (6’0), and Dayton CJ transfer Chris McGuire (6’1/Jr.) should provide more than quality depth. The schedule isn’t quite what it has been, but it will still be more than challenging with Thurgood Marshall twice, Canton McKinley, Massillon Perry, Trotwood-Madison and Detroit Consortium Prep (MI) just to name a few.
“We have great size, quickness, and speed along with being experienced,” said Wolverine boss Pete Pullen. “Our team focus and how we adapt to each other will be the key to a successful season.”
TROTWOOD-MADISON
• In the back half of the Top 10, there seems to be a trend. Four of the five teams from (6-10) are movers from Division I, which includes the Rams of Trotwood-Madison. The Rams will be playing for the Division II state football title this weekend, so a delayed start will be inevitable. When Trotwood does take the floor, it should be very formidable once the football kids get into basketball condition. In 2011, Trotwood’s (18-6) season ended in the district finals for a second consecutive season at the hands of Cincinnati Moeller. The Rams will welcome back second leading scorer Jamar Hammonds (6’3/Jr.), who averaged 9.6 points per game as a sophomore. James Brown Jr. (6’2/Jr.) was third on the team in scoring at 8.5 lightings a night. Senior Bam Bradley (6’3) averaged 5.4 points as a junior, but is still playing football. Bradley is one of the state’s top football prospects and an All-Ohio performer. Seniors Matt Cash (6’3) and Dalin Byrd (6’5) also saw minutes a season ago. The newcomers will be two of the better sophomores in Ohio in Dezhonte Bennet (6’2) and Kendrick Mallory (6’2). Freshman Andre Foster (6’2) has the potential to be one of the best in the state in the coming years. Rian Dawson (6’4/Jr.) is another newcomer for the Rams. Trotwood went (10-0) in the GWOC North a year ago. The Rams will line up against Wayne, Thurgood Marshall, Dunbar, Troy, and two teams in the Flyin’ to the Hoop.
THURGOOD MARSHALL
• The Cougars have been on the rise for several years now, and last year was even more proof of that statement. Marshall finished the year (22-6) losing in the state finals to Akron SVSM for the second time in three years. The Cougars will need to replace guards Jordan Watson and Sam Sanders, but other than those two, the rotation is back in tact. TM would have been the Division II favorite if it weren’t for Taft’s move and Dunbar adding Yates and Harris, but this team still has the talent and depth to win it all. Senior Joe Thomasson (6’3), a Wright State commit, returns to the starting line up along with juniors Mark Alstork (6’4) and Gerry Green (6’6). Look for Thomasson to have a break out season after averaging 11.7 points per game as a junior. Alstork has really taken his game to a new level during the offseason after scoring 12.5 points a night last season. Green, who is a football standout, averaged just over seven points and is known for his physical presence in the paint. The point guard will be Edmond “Junior” Early (6’1/Jr.), who was more or less a starter last season even though he came off the bench. The final starting spot will be held by senior Joe Ballard (6’5), who is a human highlight film. Ballard is without a doubt, the best dunker in the state. The bench will be solid but young. Kris Moss (6’4/Sr.), a lefty, will be a key contributor off the pine with his ability to knock down shots. Dayton Christian transfer Rachaun Martin (5’7/So.) and Dayton Northridge move in Darren Groves (6’5/Jr.) should improve the bench along with sophomore Jamichael Blanton (6’4), Dayton CJ transfer Law Williams (Jr.), Centerville transfer Landon Brazile (6’4/So.), and Jordan Jones (5’11/So.). The Cougars will face a daunting schedule beginning with rival Dunbar. Dayton CJ, North College Hill, Findlay Prep (NV), Cincinnati Withrow, Beavercreek, Dayton Jefferson, Cincinnati Aiken, Graham, and Trotwood are all lined up on the regular season slate.
VERSAILLES
• The Tigers (17-6) run ended a year ago with a heartbreaking 78-68 overtime loss to Clark Montessori in the district finals. Versailles was in complete control before faltering late in the contest. The Tigers welcome back seven of their top nine players from that particular game. 6’4 junior Chad Winner leads the list of returnees. Winner scored a game-high 25 points in the loss to Clark. 6’4 senior Mitchell Campbell was 1st Team All-MAC as a junior, Ethan Bruns (5’10/Sr.) and Zach Niekamp (6’0/Sr.) were 2nd team, and Aaron McNeilan (5’10/Sr.) was honorable mention. 6’5 senior Casey Rismiller and 6’2 junior Jacob Heitkamp return to provide depth. The MAC schedule is never easy, and always prepares teams for the rigors of tournament play. The Tigers will see Fort Recovery, Anna, St. Henry, Delphos St. John’s, Minster, and Marion Local along with games meeting Covington, Russia, Lehman Catholic, Fort Loramie, and Franklin-Monroe. Versailles finished state runner-up in 2004 to fellow MAC foe, St. Henry and has the make up of a team set for another lengthy run.
WAYNESVILLE
• Every year there seems to be one team that is a relative unknown, but has a chance to be a real dark horse and to us that team is Waynesville. The Spartans are coming off a (16-7) campaign, which ended in the district finals to eventual state champion, Taft. If the Spartans can take any solace in the 108-75 setback it was the fact they scored more points against Taft than any other team in tournament play. Waynesville returns four starters and eight of its first nine. 6’2 senior Luke Creditt returns to lead the way along with fellow starters Eli Rains (5’9/So.), Victor Boggs (6’6/Sr.) and Steven Jeffries (6’0/Sr.). Seniors Jake Elton (6’6) and Tyler Ledford (6’0) are back off the bench along with junior Ty Black (6’0). Newcomers Dakota Hargrave (5’10) and Mike Tarkany (6’4) will provide a lift as well. The Spartans are coming off a dazzling (11-1) football season as Rains, Creditt, Black, Elton, and Tarkany were all apart of that outfit. Waynesville will have a challenging schedule in the Southwestern Buckeye League. The Spartans will get a tall task on opening night against DII Franklin with the Rossi twins (Jacob and Justin) and prime time freshman Luke Kennard. Waynesville will also meet Valley View, New Lebanon Dixie, Preble Shawnee, Middletown Madison, and Bellbrook to make up a formidable schedule.
FORT RECOVERY
• The MAC usually has at least one dominant team per year and perhaps Fort Recovery will be that team in 2012. The Indians finished (13-9) a year ago falling to New Knoxville in the sectional final. 6’6 junior Wade Gelhaus (Findlay) returns coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 13 points and eight rebounds a game. 6’6 Senior Jared Kahlig (12 ppg.) is welcomed back along with 6’2 sophomore Elijah Kahlig (13 ppg.), and 6’2 senior Jason Pottkotter (8 ppg.). Coach Brian Patch also welcomes back Derek Gaerke (6’2/Sr.) and newcomers Trent Kaiser (6’0/Jr.) and Alex Kaiser (6’2/So.). The Indians return 95 percent of their scoring and 97 percent of their rebounding. Fort Recovery will play DI Walnut Ridge at the prestigious Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament and DIV power Kalida along with MAC games with Minster, Versailles, Delphos St. John’s, St. Henry, and Marion Local.
OTHER TEAMS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Franklin, Alter, Centerville, Springboro, Beavercreek, Wayne, Northmont, Troy, CJ, Eaton, Graham, Greeneview, Fenwick, Miami East, Dixie, Delphos St. John’s, Minster, Jefferson, Jackson Center, Yellow Springs, Tri-Village and Lehman Catholic.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DIVISION I
Cody May (6’3/Jr.)- Troy
Connor Myslowski (6’3/Jr.)- West Carrollton
Devon Carter (5’7/Sr.)- Clayton Northmont
Jack Mapes (6’0/Sr.)- Springboro
Jalen Camper (6’3/Jr.)- Beavercreek
Jamal Trammell (6’3/Sr.)- Clayton Northmont
Juan Ford (6’0/So.)- Huber Heights Wayne
Keith Clements (5’10/Sr.)- Huber Heights Wayne
Kendrick Williams (6’0/Sr.)- Dayton Fairborn
Marques Green (6’0/Sr.)- Xenia
Maverick Morgan (6’9/Jr.)- Springboro
Will Hobby (6’3/Sr.)- Centerville
DIVISION II
Andre Yates (6’1/Sr.)- Dayton Dunbar
Deontae Hawkins (6’7/Sr.)- Dayton Dunbar
Reggie McAdams (6’5/Sr.)- Elida
Joe Thomasson (6’3/Sr.)- Dayton Thurgood Marshall
Jaaron Simmons (6’1/Jr.)- Kettering Alter
Jacob Rossi (6’8/Sr.)- Franklin
Gary Akbar (6’5/Sr.)- Dayton Dunbar
Amos “AJ” Harris (5’9/Fr.)- Dayton Dunbar
Dakota Mathias (6’3/So.)- Elida
Damarion Geter (6’6/Jr.)- Dayton Dunbar
Cole French (6’5/Sr.)- Eaton
Edmond “Junior” Early (6’0/Jr.)- Dayton Thurgood Marshall
Jamar Hammonds (6’3/Jr.)- Trotwood-Madison
Joe Ballard (6’5/Sr.)- Dayton Thurgood Marshall
John Staley (6’4/Sr.)- Dayton CJ
Justin Rossi (6’8/Sr.)- Franklin
Luke Kennard (6’4/Fr.)- Franklin
Mark Alstork (6’4/Jr.)- Dayton Thurgood Marshall
Matt Gump (6’4/Jr.)- Bellefontaine
Zach Denny (6’0/Jr.)- Germantown Valley View
DIVISION III
Evan Bradds (6’7/Jr.)- Jamestown Greeneview
Ty O’Connor (6’4/Sr.)- Lima Central Catholic
Austin Bruns (6’4/Jr.)- Coldwater
Chad Winner (6’4/Jr.)- Versailles
Luke Creditt (6’2/Sr.)- Waynesville
Mark Lieberman (6’1/Sr.)- Dayton Christian
Mitchell Campbell (6’4/Sr.)- Versailles
Noah Bramlage (6’6/Fr.)- Ottawa-Glandorf
Robert Caldwell (5’9/So.)- Dayton Stivers
DIVISION IV
Devin Foster (6’2/Sr.)- Dayton Jefferson
Wade Gelhaus (6’6/Jr.)- Fort Recovery
Andy Hoying (6’4/Sr.)- Jackson Center
Anthony Gillem (6’0/Jr.)- Fairlawn
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