Monroe Central 24-25

[IVCguy]

There are posters on here who can tell you whatever you need to know.

I know NA has been to the regional recently, so they have a program there.

The only thing I know about Peebles is I had a decent burger at a diner on Main St a few months ago. Lol

[OHBuckeyesIO]

Well I'm surprised again haha. Great game by MC. Hiland came out and Wigton hit a couple 3s and it looked like MC might be in for a rough go if he stayed hot, but MC took control and never really looked back. I was surprised by the lack of pressure from Hiland. Im guessing they were a little hesitant bc of MCs length and athleticism? I really dont know. I believe MC was up 16 at the half with Howell being the 4th leading scorer. Hiland really had no answer for him down low I feel like they could've pounded in more to him. Great game by MC all around.
With all that said... mad respect to Hiland. There every year, truly not a rebuild but reload school every year. Like anyone else, MC is hoping to emulate their success and may be able to have a nice run with the talent coming through. I hear their youth sports are doing well with talent and numbers, hopefully they can start something and keep these crowds for years to come.

[E High]

MC is very good , but shocked at the Margin !

[art_vandelay]

Watched this game on the YouTube’s tonight and was really impressed with Monroe Central’s athleticism. They get to the rack any time they want. #5 and # 22 are straight ballers!

Looks to me like a team that can win State. Good luck rest of the way!*

[Jason Vorhees]

So impressed with MC. Love everything about them.

The game was in question for about the first 3-4 min and then MC got control and never even gave a hint of giving it up.

I'm going to follow them on their run and I hope it takes them to Dayton.

Thanks for the kind words. Had Hiland won I’d been on here saying the same thing. I have nothing but respect for Hiland’s program. Hiland’s is a program to model after.

Do you know anything about North Adams or Peebles?

Both play in the same conference, the SHAC. North Adams has won 2 Consecutive District Championships and defensively they’re solid. Rothwell and Schwikert (sp) are their two best players.

Peebles is quick but lacks size.

Their conference truly is a “basketball” conference. I don’t know if either team has the athleticism of someone like Allen or Tucker Howell but all of their kids know how to play basketball and play it the right way.

[OHBuckeyesIO]

According to the maxpreps rankings, the 1st(MarionLocal), 3rd(Partrick Henry), 6th(LimaCC), 7th(MC), 10th(Eastern), 12th(Colonel Crawford), and 13th(North Adams) ranked teams remain(didnt go further). I don't put a ton of stock in what the rankings actually mean, but they're interesting at least and a better guage than most of us can come up with. Ive seen some headscratcher rankings though too so i take them with a grain of salt. I've not seen Marion Local or Colonel Crawford(they look good on paper), but Patrick Henry seems like they will be a contender to me with size and athleticism. I've seen North Adams play(believe theyve beat Peebles twice this year), but it was not against great competition. From what I saw MC should give them problems, but again that's a limited sample against weaker competition and at this point there are no gimmes.

Other side of regional will be Cardington lincoln, ranked 27th and is 20-6 on the year. Have 24 pt loss to Colonel Crawford. Cardington Lincoln plays winner of Eastern and Valley. Eastern is ranked 10th and valley 17th. Haven't seen them any but have heard Eastern is good. Eastern and valley play at noon Sunday and North Adams/Peebles plays at 2, both at the Convo in athens. Id be willing to bet on seeing some MC faces down there.

MC plays at 530 Wednesday at Ohio Dominican and the other game starts at 8p, if MC wins it will be a late night staying to watch who they play next. Regional final is Saturday at 4p

[Hookshot]

Can someone post the roster for MC? Year in School. Height. And scoring average if you have it.

[redskinwitness]

I think MC wins this region relatively easily. CL hasn’t played a great overall schedule, NA lost their stud and coach from last year, testament to their program to be back in this position. I know you aren’t supposed to compare scores but Beaver Eastern struggled to survive Reedsville Eastern in their district and Caldwell beat reedsville twice this year.

At the final four level looking at brackets and maxpreps i’d think they’d be favored over a NE regional winner (maybe Smithville?) but probably not over the regional winners out west (ML, LCC or whomever else)

Either way it’s nice to see a team from our area who seems to have a legitimate chance to make a run to Dayton.

[buckcc]

I don't think even with a healthy Alex our point guard would made the score a little closer, but it also came down to who wanted it more and was definitely MC after losing to Hiland three straight years in the tournament,it was only fitting that it was there turn, I'm surprised a little that we didn't slap the full court press on them earlier in the game, everyone keeps saying there length and athleticisum both us and it did some, it blows my mind that we have played a of quick and athletic teams this season, University School, Harvest Prep, Linsly School, Lexington a lot of those teams were bigger than MC and some was just as athletic to, it's like we haven't seen something like that before, the Hawks will be back next season with another pretty good team 5 good letterman back and undefeated reserve team will give us some pretty good depth too,we will miss,Nick,Sam,Logan, Andrew, Zeke,Cade, you guys were a part of 8 straight district titles, something to be proud of

[allOhiotraveler]

I think MC wins this region relatively easily. CL hasn’t played a great overall schedule, NA lost their stud and coach from last year, testament to their program to be back in this position. I know you aren’t supposed to compare scores but Beaver Eastern struggled to survive Reedsville Eastern in their district and Caldwell beat reedsville twice this year.

At the final four level looking at brackets and maxpreps i’d think they’d be favored over a NE regional winner (maybe Smithville?) but probably not over the regional winners out west (ML, LCC or whomever else)

Either way it’s nice to see a team from our area who seems to have a legitimate chance to make a run to Dayton.

Dayton OR whatever random high school the OHSAA decides to put their state semi final game... what a joke the OHSAA has made of this tournament.

[skyvue]

North Adams is better than I expected them to be. A lot of quick athletes on their team and they play very hard. Also were shooting the lights out yesterday for most of the game until the 4th quarter when they finally cooled off. Their coach obviously gives them the green light to fire 3's from any where on the court because they took some wild ones yesterday. MC should have an advantage inside and the boards. The game will likely be determined by whether MC can limit their turnovers versus how well North Adams makes their 3's. Looks like it should be a pretty evenly matched game to me. Looking forward to it!

[SouthEast Hoops Fan]

I see MC by 15. If they play reasonably well. They defeated other teams marginally better than North Adams by double digits this season.

[selonmc]

I watched the NA game yesterday. Peebles didn’t look all that strong so it’s tough for me to get a read on NA. 23 for them looks like a stud. I know against MC they won’t get as many wide open 3 pt looks as they did against Peebles. Nor will they get as many 2nd chance points.

[redskinwitness]

I expect MC to win the NA game by double figures and the regional final by 20+. I'm interested to see how they match up the final four teams. I think if they get a matchup with the NE regional champion they will be able to get to Dayton. I don't know that they can beat the two regional champs from the western half of the state. I'm hopeful they will play in Dayton, it might make me get off my couch and drive over to watch! I've not wanted to do that since OHSAA decided to leave Columbus.

[selonmc]

If they do it by RPI only one other team in DVI has a higher RPI and that is Spencerville. If they get knocked off and MC survives they could be the #1 seed.

But that’s if they even will go by RPI

[skyvue]

If they do it by RPI only one other team in DVI has a higher RPI and that is Spencerville. If they get knocked off and MC survives they could be the #1 seed.

But that’s if they even will go by RPI

Spencerville already got beat by Coldwater. I heard that the "Executive Board" would be seeding teams but are not under any obligations to use RPI as the basis for seeding, though one would assume it will be one of the things they consider. I am guessing they are going to try to use the "eye test" to make it so what they believe are the 2 best teams, have a shot at meeting in the finals, so as to help with attendance.

[Steely Dan]

I see MC by 15. If they play reasonably well. They defeated other teams marginally better than North Adams by double digits this season.

You were close! 66-52 final, MC moves on. North Adams had no answer for Tucker Howell and MC's defense made it very difficult for the Green Devils.

[skyvue]

Really solid all around game for Monroe Central. Didn't feel as though North Adams ever really threatened to win this game. MC has been playing excellent defense lately and tonight took NA's leading scorer pretty much out of the game.

I am happy Eastern knocked off Cardington. I like our matchup against Eastern's squad better than against Cardington. I think Eastern will struggle to contain Tucker Howell in the paint.

[Jason Vorhees]

Intriguing matchup. Eastern Pike has a couple things that MC does not; a true PG and they pass the ball so well that it’s hard to press them.

Tucker Howell and Allen for MC present Matchup nightmares for Eastern Pike. If MC shoots the ball efficiently, I can see them advancing.

Both schools going for History.
Eastern Pike has never won a Regional. Regional Runner Up in 1983-84 season to Columbus Wherle.
Pike County hasn’t had a Final Four team since Waverly in 2022. Prior to that, Piketon in 2009. Then, Waverly in 1970. Western Pike (Latham) made it in 1968 and 1942.

Monroe Central is going for their first Final Four birth as well. Prior to this for Monroe County:

Graysville Skyvue in 1985 (State Runner Up) and 1984 coached by OHSBCA Hall of Famer Mark Huffman.

Bethel Township Blackhawks in 1957. Bethel scored over 100 points 10 times in 1957, had at least four 1,000 point scorers and was coached by OHSBCA Hall of Famer Dick Potts, whose 589 wins still has him ranked No 1 in OVAC history for all time wins.

[allOhiotraveler]

Monroe Central has just done everything they can this year. This team has been on a mission for success.

They have depth and talent at every position. No weak spots on the floor outside of a true PG, but in a 7 division format where you don't have to play harvest prep or Richmond heights, it doesn't seem to be a glaring error.

I am all in on this team as a state CHAMPION. I think they may even be the favorite.

I think the schedule of MC favors them incredibly over this Eastern Pike team.

Never know how nerves will go, but MC has been playing in front of full houses all year. Give me MC by 20+. I think this could get ugly.

Defensively, this MC team is even better than Webster and we know how that went for Eastern Pike (though I know it was early and they were getting their basketball legs vs their football legs).