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(FREE) Preview: NOHS Games

By T.J. Peatross, 12/08/22, 6:00PM EST

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NWO Invades Akron!

The inaugural NOHS East vs. West: Ohio Invitational is taking this place this Saturday at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and features 10 of the state's top programs. 

The theme of the event pits teams from Northwest Ohio against teams from Northeast Ohio in what should be a competitive best-of-5 series. Three of the teams in the race for a Division 3 title will all be in attendance as Ottawa-Glandorf, last year's runner up, is joined by Toledo's Emmanuel Christian and Lutheran East out of Cleveland Heights.

Host school Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary will take on Toledo Central Catholic in the night cap. Central Catholic is fresh off a state championship in football, defeating Akron Archbishop Hoban 28-21.



Key Info:

What: NOHS Games: East vs. West Ohio Invitational

Who: 5 Northeast Ohio Teams vs. 5 Northwest Ohio Teams

When: Saturday, December 10th

Where: LeBron James Arena (Akron STVM)

15 N Maple St, Akron, OH 44303

Cost: $12 per ticket

Girls Schedule

Date NEO Team NWO Team Time
12/10 Laurel Holland Springfield 12:30PM
12/10 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Toledo Rogers 2:15PM

Boys Schedule

Date NEO Team NWO Team Time
12/10 Lutheran West Ottawa-Glandorf 4:00PM
12/10 Lutheran East Emmanuel Christian 5:45PM
12/10 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Toledo Central Catholic 7:30PM

Game Previews

Game 3

Lutheran West (4-0) vs. Ottawa-Glandorf (2-0)

The Titans of Ottawa-Glandorf saw their 2021-22 season come to an end on the last possible day, falling 48-45 to Cincinnati Taft in the Division 3 State Championship. Junior Colin White saved his best basketball for the postseason and showed why he's being sought after by both Mid Major and High Major programs alike. Coach McGlaughlin has spoken highly of senior Theo Maag and he's also picked up early contributions from Caden Erford, a sharpshooting junior. Coach Jordan Duke and Lutheran West already have four games under their belt, including a 75-69 win over Maple Heights at the Great Lakes Classic. The team has been without senior big man Boubacar Djigo (ACL injury) but sophomore twins Matthew and Joshua Meyer have added an interior presence. Jayson Levis and Derek Fairley round out the backcourt for what is looking like one of the state's most talented teams in Division 2. Levis, a junior transfer from Berea-Midpark, scored a game-high 27 points against Maple Heights en route to MVP Honors. 

Game 4

Lutheran East (4-0) vs. Emmanuel Christian (2-0)

There will be no shortage of athletes on the floor in this one as two of the state's top Division 3 programs look to square off on a neutral floor. Lutheran East will enter Saturday as the number 3 team in the latest Cleveland.com Top 25 poll. Coach Sam Liggins and the Falcons have perhaps the top frontcourt in Ohio thanks to 6'7 Nelson Johnson, 6'9 Jesse McCulloch, 6'7 Icare Bakadisula, and 6'7 T.J. Crumble. Senior guard Cody Head has been on an impressive scoring tear to start the season and he'll surely have his hands full with Emmanuel Christian sophomore Jerry Easter, a top 50 recruit, and junior Jalen Brown. Emmanuel Christian has moved up to Division 3 and have wasted no time making their presence felt, picking up a 82-64 win over Toledo Christian last Saturday. Freshman Nate Miles displayed some high-level flashes early on in the preseason and is a player we're excited to watch over the course of the year. 

Game 5

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (2-0) vs. Toledo Central Catholic (0-0)

The Leprechauns of Toledo Central Catholic are fresh off a Division 2 State Championship in football but they won't have much time to celebrate as they prepare to open their season against the host school, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Coach Mike Floyd will be without senior Jordan "Chico" Johnson (Drake commit) for possibly the entire year but they have a strong core from last year's team, including senior Michael Greenlee, juniors Griffin Pike and Isaiah Brenneman, and a promising sophomore in Makhi Leach. The Fighting Irish of St. Vincent-St. Mary are 2-0 on the year and have already notched big wins over Reynoldsburg and Cincinnati Moeller. Seniors LA Hayes and Kevin Hamilton have been impressive on both ends of the floor and Coach Joyce has seen some shotmaking from Nick Modungo and Jayson Walker. If Central Catholic can withstand the pressure being applied by STVM, this should be a hard fought game between two well-coached programs. 


5 Players to Watch

Alphabetical By Last Name

Jerry Easter (Emmanuel Christian) 6'4 PG 2025

His freshman campaign was cut short thanks to a wrist injury, but Easter is back healthy and looking to lead the Warriors deep into postseason. The 6'4 sophomore plays the game with poise and has a great feel for a young guard, particularly in ball screen situations. Easter is most effective in the open floor as a downhill athlete, using his wheels and strength to score in the paint off two feet.  He holds offers from over 20 Mid Major and High Major programs. 

LA Hayes (Akron STVM) 6'3 WG 2023

Kent State is getting an aggressive, high-motor wing in senior LA Hayes. The 6'3 athlete has great instincts on the defensive end and he's as disruptive of a player as you'll find in Ohio. Hayes isn't a slouch on the other side of the ball either as he is getting accustomed to being the first option for a defensive minded Irish group. A great flasher and cutter off the ball, Hayes has looked more confident both shooting it and creating his own offense. 

Cody Head (Lutheran East) 6'1 CG 2023

Head has gotten off to a red hot start for the undefeated Falcons, averaging 23.5 points over the course of four games. The lefty guard has a shifty handle that he uses to breakdown defenders and attack the rim with his strong frame. He has taken some strides in regards to his shotmaking and his 31-point outburst against Columbus Africentric is a testament of just that. Head knocked down a number of rhythm jumpers as well as a few catch-and-shoot threes in the halfcourt. 

Jesse McCulloch (Lutheran East) 6'9 C 2024

McCulloch saw a major uptick in his recruitment following an impressive summer with Lutheran East and Indy Heat (Nike EYBL). He has since carried over that momentum into the high school season and has become the defensive anchor for Coach Liggins. McCulloch's motor and length have provided the Falcons with a legitimate rim protector and someone that will control the glass. He has a feathery touch out to the three-point line and has established himself as a true pick-and-pop threat. When engaged and being aggressive, McCulloch is one of the toughest matchups in the country. 

Colin White (Ottawa-Glandorf) 6'4 WF 2024

A consensus top five player in Ohio's junior class, White is a hardnosed wing that plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. He's at his best attacking angles and closeouts, elevating for mid-range jumpers, or using his advanced footwork around the rim. White became a popular name within recruiting circles following his breakout performance at last year's state tournament. He finished the weekend averaging 24.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 2.5 APG.

Other Notable Players (By School)

  • Kevin Hamilton (Akron STVM) 5'9 G 2023
  • Jalen Brown (Emmanuel Christian) 6'2 W 2024
  • Nate Miles (Emmanuel Christian) 6'4 W 2026
  • Icare Bakadisula (Lutheran East) 6'7 F 2025
  • T.J. Crumble (Lutheran East) 6'7 F 2026
  • Derek Fairley (Lutheran West) 6'2 G 2024
  • Jayson Levis (Lutheran West) 6'1 G 2024
  • Matthew Meyer (Lutheran West) 6'7 F 2025
  • Theo Maag (Ottawa-Glandorf) 6'6 C 2023
  • Michael Greenlee (Central Catholic) 5'10 G 2023
  • Makhi Leach (Central Catholic) 6'2 W 2025

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