Friday, February 02, 2001
Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati games
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
• Oak Hills (13-3) vs. Lakota East (8-8)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., today, Lakota East High School, 6840 Lakota Lane, Liberty Township.
WHAT TO WATCH: If the first meeting Oak Hills won 62-55 on Dec.22 is an indication of what to expect, look for another close encounter.
Coach Mike Price's Highlanders are improved and only three victories away from winning the Greater Miami Conference title.
Seniors Mike Lee and Tim Oliverio have played well for Oak Hills, which has outstanding depth.
The Thunderhawks would like finish in the upper half of the league. Stephen Graves (13.4 ppg) leads a balanced scoring attack, but it will be the Thunderhawks' defense that determines the outcome.
PICK: Oak Hills
• St. Xavier (14-2, 7-2 GCL South) vs. Moeller (11-4, 6-2 GCL South)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today, Moeller High School, 9001 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery.
WHAT TO WATCH: St. Xavier beat previously unbeaten Alter in Kettering last week, but the Bombers suffered a letdown and fell to Roger Bacon at home Tuesday.
That makes this game for first place in the Greater Catholic League South Division.
St. X features a balanced scoring attack with Jordan Cornette (13.6 ppg), Mike Grogan (13.1) and Steve Callahan the scoring leaders.
The Crusaders will be tough to handle at home before an enthusiastic crowd that is limited to students and past graduates. No tickets were sold to St. X fans because it is the second-to-last game in Moeller's old gym.
Nick Monserez (13.5 ppg) and Scott Byrne handle the perimeter duties with Matt Slyvester (21.4 ppg) and Clint Nagel dominating on the inside.
St. X outscored Moeller 29-9 in the fourth quarter to win the first game between the teams.
PICK: Moeller.
• Clermont Northeastern (13-3, 8-0 SBC) vs. Batavia (7-6, 6-2 SBC)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. tonight, Clermont Northeastern High School, 5327 Hutchinson Rd., Batavia.
WHAT TO WATCH: This is a matchup between the top two teams in the Southern Buckeye Conference. Batavia leads the National Division, while CNE leads the American.
Clermont Northeastern appears to have the advantage. Ian Lafferty (15 ppg) and Justin Holthaus lead a versatile offense that is effective on the inside and outside.
Batavia can't be taken lightly. Senior Mike Faris (15.3 ppg) has come on strong along with Matt Wilson (15.1 ppg), giving the Bulldogs a solid one-two punch.
PICK: Clermont Northeastern
• Winton Woods (14-0) vs. Glen Este (9-5)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., today, Glen Este High School, 4342 Glen Este-Withamsville Rd., Withamsville.
WHAT TO WATCH: The Warriors have gone essentially unchallenged, and could probably use a difficult test as tournament time approaches.
The Warriors go 10 players deep, with DeForrest Riley (13.6 ppg), Robert Hite (16.9 ppg) and P.J. Mills (14.4 ppg) the primary threats.
Glen Este is a senior-dominated team and continues to improve. The Trojans feature a balanced scoring attack with seniors Tom Diebel, Mike Clyburn and Mike Rieck the key players.
PICK: Winton Woods.
• Goshen (7-7, 4-6) vs. Lebanon (9-3, 7-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Lebanon High School, 160 Miller Rd., Lebanon.
WHAT TO WATCH: Trailing Loveland by two games in the FAVC Cardinal Division, Lebanon needs a victory to remain in the race.
Ty Merchant, Jared Langston and Tom Ault have been the sparkplugs for Lebanon, along with a tough defense.
Goshen is led by senior guard Roger Drake (18.8 ppg) and junior forward Nate Blevins.
PICK: Lebanon.
• Other games
Elder over La Salle
McNicholas over Badin
Roger Bacon over Purcell Marian
Princeton over Colerain
Hamilton over Fairfield
Lakota West over Sycamore
Middletown over Milford
CCD over Landmark Christian
New Miami over Lockland
North College Hill over Summit
Seven Hills over St. Bernard
Mason over Amelia
Anderson over Northwest
Harrison over Turpin
Ross over Kings
Wilmington over Little Miami
Loveland over Norwood
Fenwick over Miamisburg
Talawanda over Franklin
Edgewood over Monroe
Dayton Stebbins over Dayton Carroll
Springboro over West Carrollton
Western Hills over Aiken
Taft over Hughes
Withrow over Walnut Hills
Woodward over Mt. Healthy
Indian Hill over Finneytown
Madeira over Wyoming
Reading over Deer Park
Mariemont over Taylor
Georgetown over Williamsburg
Bethel-Tate over Felicity
New Richmond over Western Brown
Last week: 23-8. Season: 194-60.
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Our Fearless Predcitions for Cincinnati games
