Notes from Northeast Ohio – 12/4/2019
At this point, 99% of the teams in Northeast Ohio have tipped off and many have already played in some marquee non-conference games. There have even been a handful of teams who have won big league match-ups. Here are 5…
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Continue ReadingAt this point, 99% of the teams in Northeast Ohio have tipped off and many have already played in some marquee non-conference games. There have even been a handful of teams who have won big league match-ups.
Here are 5 thoughts about Northeast Ohio hoops.
- Southeast is more than a 1-year success story.
The Pirates and head coach Craig Nettleton may have moved up from D3 (where they made a run to the regional tournament last year) to D2, but basketball fans shouldn’t expect them to be any less successful this winter because of it. After a quality season-opening win against Jackson-Milton, the Pirates surprised many by defeating Waynedale – who entered the season as one of the favorites in the Wooster District. Rachel Neer and Emma Keto have looked solid for Southeast, who hope to ride that guard-play as long as they can.
- Nordonia and Wadsworth is a huge Suburban League tilt.
Wadsworth and Nordonia is quite the early-season match-up in the Suburban League. Both teams enter with perfect records and high expectations. At this point in the season, Nordonia is the healthier of the two squads, but Wadsworth is playing some inspired basketball behind the sharpshooting of guard Maggie Long. Stow is waiting for both teams – so neither Wadsworth or Nordonia want to pick up a loss in this contest.
- Akron Buchtel has played a brutal schedule – they are better because of it.
Another regional qualifier from a season ago – Buchtel wanted to upgrade their schedule this winter, with the hopes of a trip to Columbus in March. They lost 1 possession games to Walsh Jesuit, Nordonia and Olentangy Liberty in the first 2 weeks of the season. However, those close games paid off as the Griffins defeated Green, in overtime, by a score of 49-46. Javaan Rogers has stood out for the Akron City Series favorites.
- The Canfield Cardinals are flying high.
Although they lost an outstanding player in Serena Sammarone – who is currently playing for The University of Findlay, Canfield has started their season with a stellar 3-0 record. Grace Mangapora is headed to play volleyball in college, but she has looked outstanding on the basketball court thus far. Her team has defeated Struthers, West Branch and Louisville to this point.
- Smithville is a legitimate contender in the Wayne County Athletic League.
Area fans are well aware of the success that the Smithies have had since the turn of the new millennium. There was a time when the Green Machine was a fixture in Columbus at the state tournament. Although there have been lean years for Mike Miller and crew recently, this is an experienced bunch who showed that they should be taken seriously this winter – opening the season with a statement victory at Norwayne. Smithville followed that up with a win against Rootstown. We should learn more about just how good Smithville is, after they play Waynedale this week in another crucial conference game. (Shalen Guilliams is pictured above – photo credit; Wooster Daily Record)