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Published December 10, 2008 Roundball Roundup -- Tip-off Time 2008-09
Jonathan Smith leads Grove City in the new OCC Ohio.
New Age Buckets -- The OCC Ohio -- Realignment is here to stay in the OCC, and now it's time to deal with it, as we did in football with the OCC Central. This time it's the new Ohio division that may dominate, or at least it looks that way from the outset. First, there's defending state champ from Division I, Newark. Newark looks strong despite changes discussed below, and adds Ryan Dierks at guard on a transfer from neighboring Licking Valley. Grove City might be the next toughest in the new division. 6'7" C Jonathan Smith has committed to the Saint Louis Billikins and coach Rick Majerus. Smith was the OCC Buckeye player of the year last year with 17 points (62%), 10 boards and almost 5 blocks per game. He also plays forward, which is where Majerus will use him. Majerus is on record describing Smith as "cerebral" and a great defender, in addition to his rebounding and inside shooting abilities. The rest of the OCC Ohio is no slouch, and I see Reynoldsburg and Gahanna as two main challengers. Newark travels to Gahanna on Tuesday (tonight) try to avenge a double overtime defeat the champs suffered to the Lions last year. Gahanna boasts "mighty mouse" G Stevie Taylor (5'9", 12 ppg as a freshman) who is gaining notice statewide. Ian Taylor (not a brother) also adds to Gahanna's talent at guard and is 6'3". Reynoldsburg was 8-2 in the Buckeye division last year, finishing first, and G Kevin Gray was first team all-OCC as a sophomore at 13 ppg. Pickerington North and Pickerington Central may also be in the mix and merit some attention. North sports G Eric Brindle, who averaged 15 ppg and 4 assists last year and has top point guard skills. However, North has a tough December, facing a still strong (though B.J. Mullens-less) Canal Winchester, Pick Central, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna and others, while obviously having to play Newark and Grove City twice apiece later on. The division rounds out with Lancaster, which should be improved from last year's disappointment, and Groveport, which finished 11-10 last year and has some favorable non-conference matchups. Tuesday's Matchups in the OCC Ohio - (12/9) - Gahanna 65, Newark 62 -- Rob Brandenburg scored 27 for the Lions including an incredible 30 footer at the buzzer for a sweet home win and conference opener over defending state champs Newark. Cody Dennison had 6 treys and 29 points total for Newark. Also in the OCC Ohio -- Pickerington North 79, Groveport 69; Pickerington Central 88, Lancaster 69; Grove City 85 Reynoldsburg 65. Other OCC -- Hilliard Darby 68, Worthington Kilbourne 60; Dublin Coffman 95, Central Crossing 66; Westland 58, Hilliard Davidson 55; Olentangy Orange 54, Mt. Vernon 50; Dublin Scioto 73, Olentangy 59; Olentangy Liberty 54, Marysville 32; Westerville North 47, Dublin Jerome 38; Westerville South 78, Westerville Central 72; Franklin Heights 58, Delaware 53; Upper Arlington 69, Thomas Worthington 62 (OT). 
The loss of Greg Avery is not deterring Division I champ Newark.
Game On!! -- Week One Wonders -- Newark 78, Briggs 37 -- Newark won last year's Division I state title but lost standout Greg Avery to graduation and Western Carolina, the "Catamounts". However, the 'Cats from Licking County still have it going, returning three starters and eight total players from the big school championship team. The Wildcats also added standout guard Ryan Dierks from nearby Licking Valley as a transfer, and Dierks responded by nailing 15 points in the opener allowing Newark to start off on a big note this weekend, destroying Briggs of the City League South by 41 at Newark. 2007-08 All-City honoree Josh Allen, a 6'2" senior who averaged 16.3 points last year, put in 16 for Briggs (0-2) in the loss. East 58, Toledo Libbey 46 -- Buckeye fans know Libbey from new freshman recruit William Buford, Mr. Basketball Ohio last year. Libbey lost the Division II state final to Chillicothe at the buzzer last year, and the new squad could not handle East in the Northwest Ohio Prep Showcase Saturday night. East was propelled by 17 from the smooth hands of star Jordan Laster, who averaged 19.6 in last year's disappointing campaign. East opens its new gym after the new year, but must do so against perrenial City League power Northland. Marion-Franklin 83, Thomas Worthington 58 -- OCC tradition ran into City League South power Friday night on the southside as the Red Devils gave Cards' coach Bob Miller (506 career wins) fits to start his 27th season. Freshman C Elijah Macon (6'9" and much watched) had 12 for Marion-Franklin, as did Mike Guyton and Jeremy McCoy. Dejuan McGaughy put in 16 to lead the balanced attack. Independence 64, Cincinnati Wyoming 41 -- I mention this strange matchup on the north outskirts of the Queen City because Wyoming is my alma mater, and because it's very unusual for the Cowboys to host a City League team. Independence (1-1) had high hopes coming into the weekend, bringing back star guards Brandon Tyler and Greg Dawkins from a team that went 9-5 last year in the CL South. However, Independence lost its opener Friday to Toledo Start 56-53 in the NW Ohio Showcase despite 20 from Dawkins. Therefore, the trip to the preppies from the beacon on the hill was of more importance, and the trip paid off with first half domination, a 23 point win and 10 from Tyler and 15 from Dawkins. Dublin Scioto 70, Worthington Kilbourne 37 -- The OCC Cardinal favorites from Scioto, 22-2 last year, rolled in this home opener that was 39-9 at the half. Scioto returns 9 lettermen, including star 6'2" G Bradley MacDougald, who scored 13, while 14 roster players had points. Madison Plains 49, Unioto 35 -- This might seem to be an uninteresting "outskirts" game, but Madison Plains was one of the best and most exciting local Division III teams last year, going 19-4. G Nick Joslin, G Matt McCollister and 6'3" F Seth Faulkner all return to the team, which has high promises for this season. Madison Plains built a 19 point lead after three. Faulkner had 17 and McCollister 20, including 5 treys. 
Future Buckeye Jared Sullinger returns to lead Northland.
Season's Start -- Gahanna 74, Whetstone 68 -- This was an interesting matchup Friday night in a season opener for two up and coming, promising teams. Gahanna is in the powerful new OCC Ohio (Newark, Grove City, Reynoldsburg) and went 15-6 last year. Whetstone sports 6'9" C Tanner Furno, a consummate student-athlete dominating on the hardwood and in college level courses. Gahanna flew to a 10 point third quarter lead and rode Rob Brandenburg (21 points) in the fourth after Stevie Taylor dominated the first half, ending with 27 points overall. Furno had 15 for Whetstone, which hopes to compete with the big boys in the City League North. Gahanna plays defending state champ Newark next. Brookhaven 82, Sylvania Southview 81-- OK, one of the big boys started off huge in the NW Ohio Showcase. Brookhaven rode 32 points from Terrence Watkins in this huge win, as Rod Macon rebounded one in before the buzzer to beat Southview. Unfortunately, Brookhaven bowed out 68-41 to Dayton Dunbar (2-0) Saturday night, when Macon was held to one free throw and Watkins to 12 points. Northland 69, Memphis White Station 55 -- The other major North power flexed its muscles Saturday night against a tough team from Tennessee. Northland, sporting Ohio State recruit Jared Sullinger (brother of Buckeye J.J. and son of coach Satch) overcame a poor first quarter and built a one basket halftime lead before rolling in the second half. Sullinger scored 19, and Northland (21-1 last year) looks forward to being able to eventually start league play, where they have not lost in 29 games. Canal Winchester 61, Pickerington North 53 -- Canal proved it could still play without Buckeye giant B.J. Mullens, breaking free from an early North lead behind 25 from Darian Catharn. Kent Riggs enters his 22nd season as CW coach, with the team going 21-3, 14-0 last season. Aaron Barber, a 6'4" senior who missed last year, rejoined Canal and scored 12 points. Worthington Christian 52, Jonathan Alder 48 -- This was a good one for an opener in Plain City, as Div. IV runner-up Worthington Christian (26-2 in 2007-08) came to town to face the Pioneers, 15-7 last year. Div. IV state player of the year Brian Hecker scored 22 for the Warriors and Brady Beals added 18 for the win. Worthington Christian again looks forward to a great but tough season, as it plays in the Central Catholic League as a returning co-champion small school, facing DeSales, Watterson, St. Charles, Hartley and Ready. DeSales 63, Toledo Whitmer 50 -- The CCL Stallions scored a big opening win on the road in the NW Ohio Prep Showcase, defeating Whitmer by 13. DeSales lost 7'2" C Sean Hobbs but keeps super sons Nick Kellogg (Clark) and Adam Griffin (Archie) and football standout Ike Ariguzo. Kellogg averaged 21.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last year as a sophomore and had 14 against Whitmer. Griffin had 9 points in the win while Nick Goff had a game high 23 for DeSales.
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Cool, you do basketball too. Looking forward to keeping up to date on the OSU recruits like Sullinger.
JD Weatherspoon was a beast for Northland in the game against White Station. He led the team in scoring with 23 pts. More importantly is when he scored. He dominated in the 2nd and especially the 3rd qtr as Northland established and increased their lead over the Spartans.
Thanks for the comments and input, guys. Weatherspoon is indeed impressive. I'll try my best with Northland coverage as well as the rest of the City League this year.
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