Friday, January 12, 2001
Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati games
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
• St. Xavier (10-0) vs. Elder (8-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today, St. Xavier High School, 600 North Bend Rd., Finneytown.
WHAT TO WATCH: Some how, some way, defending Division I state champion St. Xavier has found a way to win. Last week St. X won by two points at La Salle.
The Bombers feature a balanced scoring attack with three players in double figures: Mike Grogan (17.7 ppg), Jordan Cornette (13.6) and Steve Callahan (12.7).
Elder also is a team that relies on balanced scoring and man-to-man defense. Most of the Panthers' points have come from the perimeter with Jake Bazeley at 14.0 points a game.
Losing at home in the GCL South isn't an option and St. Xavier should prevail.
PICK: St. Xavier.
• Western Hills (6-4) vs. Taft (3-7)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., today, Taft High School, 420 Ezzard Charles Dr., Downtown.
WHAT TO WATCH: Coming off an emotional victory over Withrow and a loss to Elder, the Mustangs could be in for a letdown against lightly regarded Taft.
It's unlikely the Western Hills trio of Darryl Peterson (16.3 ppg), Danny Horace (19.3) and Malcom Andrews (11.4) will let this happen.
Taft has the talent to pull off the upset if Brandon Turner (15.5 ppg), Norell Williams (13.3) and Mike Price (12.8) get offensive help from the bench.
The Senators have lost some close games. If Western Hills plays up to potential, the ending will be determined early.
PICK: Western Hills
• Sycamore (2-7) vs. Hamilton (7-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., today, Hamilton High School, 1160 Eaton Ave., Hamilton.
WHAT TO WATCH: Hamilton's defense 10.8 steals a game and 4.9 blocked shots a game) has been key to the success of the first-place team in the GMC.
Coach Larry Allen's crew lacks an outstanding scorer, but junior guard E.J. Underwood leads the team with a 12.4 scoring average. He is the only Big Blue player over 11 a game.
Sycamore is in last place, winning only one of seven conference games.
Steve Kennedy and Michael Hull have been two of the bright spots but neither player is averaging in double figures. Unless the Aviators find a way to score, it will be another rough night.
PICK: Hamilton.
• Madeira (8-1) vs. Mariemont (8-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Mariemont High School, 3812 Pocahontas Ave., Mariemont.
WHAT TO WATCH: An early loss to Finneytown was what Madeira needed to bring the players back to reality.
Since that setback, the Mustangs have won six consecutive games behind Bret Underwood (18.1 ppg) and Rob Hern (15.7). Madeira also took over first place in the Cincinnati Hills League.
Mariemont is a team that can't be taken lightly.
The Warriors feature the CHL's leading scorer, Branden Fischer (19.9 ppg), but lack a strong supporting cast.
Madeira has won with balanced scoring and a tenacious defense which will be the difference in this CHL game.
PICK: Madeira.
• Harrison (6-3) vs. Winton Woods (9-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Winton Woods High School, 1231 WEst Kemper Rd., Forest Park.
WHAT TO WATCH: Undefeated in nine outings, Winton Woods features the trio of Robert Hite (16.3 ppg), DeForrest Riley (11.2) and P.J. Mills (13.8).
Defense has been another Warriors' strength and could be the difference against a Harrison team that has been inconsistent.
Paul Volkerding has been one of the bright spots for Harrison, averaging 16.4 ppg., but the lack of help from the supporting cast has plagued Harrison.
Harrison could hang tough early, but speed, quickness and balanced scoring from Winton Woods will be too much for the Wildcats.
PICK: Winton Woods.
• Other Games
Moeller over La Salle
Alter over McNicholas
Roger Bacon over Chaminade Julienne
Purcell Marian over Badin
Oak Hills over Colerain
Middletown over Fairfield
Milford over Lakota East
Lakota West over Princeton
Woodward over Aiken
Withrow over Hughes
Mt. Healthy over Walnut Hills
CCD over New Miami
CHCA over St. Bernard
Summit over Landmark
North College Hills over Lockland
Little Miami over Goshen
Lebanon over Kings
Loveland over Wilmington
Ross over Norwood
Amelia over Glen Este
Anderson over Turpin
Mason over Northwest
Stebbins over Talawanda
Springboro over Edgewood
W. Carrollton over Monroe
Miamisburg over Franklin
Taylor over Deer Park
Indian Hill over Wyoming
Western Brown over Williamsburg
Georgetown over Bethel-Tate
Batavia over Felicity
Last week: 22-12. Season: 111-37.
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Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati games