Friday, February 16, 2001
Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati boys games
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Madeira (18-1, 12-1 CHL) vs. Reading (16-3, 11-2 CHL).
WHEN/WHERE: 8:30 p.m. today, University of Cincinnati Shoemaker Center, Clifton.
WHAT TO WATCH: The winner of this game will emerge as the Cincinnati Hills League champion.
Madeira has a chance to clinch at least a tie for the CHL title but the Mustangs lost to Mariemont on wednesday while Reading defeated Finneytown.
Playing on a longer and wider college floor should be to Madeira's advantage. The Mustangs prefer to spread it out on offense and playing full-court pressure on the defense.
Madeira relies on the one-two scoring duo of Bret Underwood (16.6 ppg) and Robb Hern (13.9) while Reading's strength is on the inside with Kenny Brady, Andy Brinck, Derek Aden and Craig Wilking.
PICK: Madeira.
St. Xavier (15-4, 8-3 GCL South) vs. Elder (13-6, 7-4 GCL South)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today, Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave., Price Hill.
WHAT TO WATCH: Elder is out of the GCL South race but can play spoiler by beating St. X.
St. Xavier needs a victory over Elder and a Moeller loss to LaSalle to claim a share of the title.
The Bombers lost to Elder early in the season at St. X, playing most of the game without senior point guard Steve Callahan, who suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter.
Callahan reinjured the ankle two weeks ago but is expected to return tonight.
Although the Panthers lost consecutive games to McNicholas and Moeller, coach Joe Schoenfeld's team rebounded with a 60-54 victory over Kettering Alter on Tuesday at home.
PICK: Elder.
Oak Hills (16-3, 14-1 GMC) vs. Princeton (7-11, 4-10 GMC)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Princeton High School, 11080 Chester Rd., Springdale.
WHAT TO WATCH: Oak Hills has clinched the Greater Miami Conference championship, so coach Mike Price's Highlanders will try to tune up for the sectional tournament with a victory.
Senior guard Mike Lee (15.2 ppg), who played last week with a torn MCL, will again be slowed by the injury.
Center Tim Oliverio (13.8 ppg) is Oak Hills' key player on the inside.
PICK: Oak Hills.
Winton Woods (19-0, 13-0 FAVC Buckeye) at Harrison (9-10, 5-8 QCC Buckeye)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., today, Harrison High School, 9860 West Rd., Harrison.
WHAT TO WATCH: Winton Woods, the top-ranked team in The Enquirer's coaches poll, will attempt to finish the regular season undefeated for the second straight season.
The Warriors are a good outside shooting team with Byron Fields, Robert Hite and DeForrest Riley while P.J. Mills and C.J. Anderson dominate on the inside.
Harrison primarily relies on Paul Volkerding.
Volkerding, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, averages 17.6 points a game and leads the area in free-throw shooting (93 percent).
PICK: Winton Woods
Kettering Alter (17-2, 12-2 GCL North) vs. McNicholas (12-7, 7-6 GCL North).
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today, McNicholas High School, 6536 Beechmont Ave., Mount Washington.
WHAT TO WATCH: This game could be a preview of the regional semifinals, where the teams could meet for a third time this season.
Alter, which won the GCL North championship, is coming off a 60-54 loss to Elder.
Alter relies on leading scorer Adam Waleskowski, who had 21 against Elder.
The key for McNicholas is defense. If the Rockets' pressure creates turnovers, and leading scorer Paul Sheehy and crew have a good offensive night, look for the Rockets to pull off the upset.
PICK: McNicholas.
Other games
Moeller over LaSalle
Roger Bacon over Chaminade Julienne
Purcell Marian over Badin
Colerain over Fairfield
Hamilton over Lakota East
Milford over Lakota West
Middletown over Sycamore
CCD over New Miami
CHCA over St. Bernard
Summit CD over Landmark
North College Hill over Lockland
Glen Este over Amelia
Anderson over Turpin
Mason over Northwest
Fenwick over Franklin
Talawanda over Monroe
Dayton Carroll over Edgewood
Springboro over Miamisburg
Walnut Hills over Aiken
Woodward over Hughes
Withrow over Taft
Western Hills over Mt. Healthy
Mariemont over Deer Park
Finneytown over Wyoming
Indian Hill over Taylor
Williamsburg over Felicity
Batavia over Bethel Tate
Clermont NE over Western Brown
Hillsboro over New Richmond
Little Miami over Goshen
Lebanon over Kings
Loveland over Wilmington
Ross over Norwood
Last week: 36-4. Season: 256-70.
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Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati boys games