CINCINNATI -- Although two Cincinnati-area boys basketball teams had storybook finishes this past winter, new personnel and different challenges will change the narrative as the new season starts Nov. 29.
Reigning state champions Moeller (Division I) and Deer Park (Division III) can't relax if they hope to hang on to their titles.
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With some new impact players and teams looking to take the next step in the postseason, let's take a look at some significant storylines around the area boys basketball scene in Greater Cincinnati.
Moeller is the favorite, again
The Crusaders (27-3) won their fourth-ever state title and their first since 2007. Although stars Jaxson Hayes and Jeremiah Davenport have graduated, Moeller appears to remain a strong favorite.
The team will be led by 6-foot-2 senior guard Miles McBride, a West Virginia signee who contributed during the state Final Four last season. He missed most of the year after sustaining a sprain injury on his left foot during football season.
Moeller senior guard Miles McBride signed to play at West Virginia. (WCPO file photo)
Look also for 6-foot-4 senior forward Alec Pfriem (Bellarmine signee), who averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Senior 6-foot-3 forward Michael Shipp and 6-foot-4 junior forward Max Land will be key players, too.
Sophomore 6-foot-8 center Logan Duncomb is one of the area's most promising post players. Junior 6-foot-2 forward Michael Currin also will contribute.
Moeller will open the season Dec. 1 against Lexington Bryan Station at the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic in Hillsboro.
A challenge to the Crusaders?
Winton Woods, Withrow, Walnut Hills, the Greater Miami Conference or the remainder of the Greater Catholic League South Division may pose a challenge to Moeller.
Withrow returns 6-foot-11 center Abba Lawal, 6-foot-6 wing Mike Hill Jr. and 6-foot-3 player Dare Moffett.
Walnut Hills has 6-foot-6 junior forward Nic Smith as the team's top returning player.
Look for senior point guard Ryan Hill, senior guard Greg Phelia and junior guard Mike Grant.
"Frankly, other than Moeller being outstanding, I think anyone can beat anyone on the right night," Withrow coach Shaun O'Connell said. "So we are just going to put our heads down and work and hope to be in the mix in late February and early March."
Tribble transfers
Winton Woods standout combo guard Greg Tribble transferred to Huntington Prep (West Virginia) in early November. He was considered one of the area's top players in Greater Cincinnati last season.
"I will always have great memories of Winton Woods, but it's time for me to aggressively pursue my dreams," Tribble wrote on Twitter.
Tribble reportedly has offers from Kent State, Toledo, Youngstown State and others, according to 247Sports.
Who emerges from the GMC?
Princeton standouts Darius Bazley and Darweshi Hunter have graduated after leading the Vikings to a 16-0 record in the Greater Miami Conference last season. Princeton (23-4 overall) was a regional semifinalist, but the Vikings still have a talented squad.
"I think overall we are going to have a great year," Princeton coach Steve Wright said.
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Hamilton, Lakota East, Mason and Oak Hills also could certainly make an argument.
Lakota East (16-9, 11-5 GMC) returns 6-foot-4 senior wing Bash Wieland (Bellarmine), who was a first-team all-GMC selection after he averaged 12.6 points.
"We expect Bash to be a candidate to be the player of the year in the league," Lakota East coach Clint Adkins said. "He is a guy that can impact the game in a variety of ways."
Watch for 6-foot-7 junior power forward Alex Mangold (offers from Findlay, Fairmont State and Christian Brothers). Sophomore 6-foot-2 point guard Nate Johnson has an offer from Fairmont State.
Adkins believes Hamilton should be considered the favorite in the GMC. Big Blue coach Kevin Higgins has 6-foot-2 senior guard D'Marco Howard (17.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and 6-foot guard Jaylen Robinson (Northern State signee), who averaged 17.7 points.
"Both have improved their shooting from the perimeter and overall play-making ability on both ends of the floor," Higgins said.
Junior 6-foot-6 guard Trey Robinson, sophomore 6-foot-2 guard Kurtis Reid and senior 5-foot-10 guard Payton Pennington should make an impact, too.
How long will Deer Park remain undefeated?
Deer Park (29-0) was the only team to finish undefeated among the 799 Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball teams last winter.
Moreover, Deer Park became the first area boys basketball team from Hamilton County to ever win a state title while going undefeated.
While those achievements will be difficult to top this season, the Wildcats will return nearly everyone from that squad.
Look for junior guard Mark Wise (16.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg), senior forward Ibrahima Athie, senior forward/post Joe Hocker (Florida International football commit) and junior point guard Steven Gentry Jr. (10.2 ppg, 4.8 apg) to make an impact.
Deer Park will open the season against visiting Summit Country Day on Nov. 30.
The Cavaliers are back
Purcell Marian may pose the most significant challenge to Deer Park in Division III this season.
The Cavaliers (20-7) lost to Deer Park 81-70 in overtime in the regional semifinal.
"Our general chemistry is really, really strong," Purcell Marian coach Scott Kerr said. "Our seniors have been highly motivated by the way our season ended in the tournament and know they get one more shot to achieve all their team goals."
The Cavaliers have eight players who can start on a given night. Purcell likely has the most difficult schedule in Division III anywhere in Ohio. It plays all four Greater Catholic League South Division schools plus Wyoming, Centerville, North Catholic (Pittsburgh) and a showdown with Deer Park on Jan. 19 in Middletown.
Look for senior forwards Javonta Lyons (13.3 ppg) and Alex Dotson, AJ Garrett and Bryan Warah among the players to watch.
Expectations in the CMAC
Hughes (24-4) was a Division II regional finalist a season ago, but the Big Red will have some new starters this winter. The spotlight will be on freshman guard Paul McMillan IV, who has been nationally ranked in the 2022 class.
Hughes freshman guard Paul McMillan IV is one of the nation's top players in the 2022 class. (WCPO file photo)
"I think Paul McMillan is one of the most electric guards in the city," Hughes coach Bryan Wyant said. "We have had a history of great point guard play the last five years (Angel Rivera, Elijah Pughsley, Corry Long, Giovanni Santiago) and Paul, especially as a freshman, is just as dominant as any of those guards we have had. This is pretty remarkable, considering the fact that he just turned 15."
Hughes will be a fast-paced transition team but needs to improve defensively. Look for 6-foot-8 senior center Kenny Jackson, 6-foot-2 senior shooting guard AB Harouna, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Camron McKenzie and 5-foot-9 freshman guard Andre Simmons.
Watch for Taft and Aiken in the ultra-competitive Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference. These could be the top teams in the standings in February.
Aiken has senior guard D'Arris Dean, 6-foot-8 senior forward Tremaine Smith and sophomore guard Jakada Stone.
"I believe our league title will go through Taft," Aiken coach Ty Cass said. "Coach (Demarco) Bradley has a lot of experience coming back and Taft is always a tough out."
Keep an eye on Wyoming to be strong in the Cincinnati Hills League and in Division II.
Showcase events
From the Premier Health Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational to the Mercy Health Hoops Classic, there are plenty of highly publicized events around the area boys basketball scene this winter. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Classic is Jan. 19-20 at Middletown High School. It will feature two featured games Jan. 20 including Deer Park versus Purcell Marian (6:15 p.m.) and Moeller versus Lakota East (8 p.m.).
State tournament
The sectional tournament will start Feb. 18.
The district tournament will be March 4-9, and the regional tournament will be March 11-16.
The annual state Final Four will be March 21-23 at Ohio State University's Schottenstein Center.
