SW Division 5 Sectional Preview

It's tournament time throughout the state of Ohio, and over the next few days. I'll take a look at some of the brackets, teams and players in Southwest Ohio as the sectional tournament begins next week in the Buckeye State!   The Division 1 and 2 draw will be this Sunday, so today I will look at  Division 5 in Southwest Ohio.   OPENING ROUND MATCHUPS   @ Trotwood   2/18- Milton Union v Northwestern 6:00   Waynesville v Springfield Shawnee  7:30   2/21- Valley View v Greeneview 11:00   Versailles v Northeastern 12:30   Miami East v Preble Shawnee 2:00   BYE- Anna   @Mason   2/16- Williamsburg v Seven Hills 6:00   Deer Park v Maderia 7:30   2/19- Norwood v William/7Hills  6:00   Clark Montessori v Clermont Northeastern 7:30   2/21- Summit Country Day v Blanchester 11:00   St. Bernard Elmwood Place v DP/Mad 12:30   Georgetown v Reading  2:00   Bethel-Tate v Mariemont  3:30     POTENTIAL 2nd ROUND MATCHUP   Miami East v Anna   The history of these two teams in the postseason goes back many many years, and they could meet again in the second round of the sectional tournament. Miami East won the TRC and has two outstanding freshman to watch this season [player_tooltip player_id='1235416' first='Marin' last='Howell'], the lone double figure scorer for the Vikings. Claire Antonides is another freshman who I expect to continue to blossom. Kylie Gentis and Mara Fine are two senior floor leaders and I expect them to be solid contributors in the postseason.    Anna brings in a 6'2 post player Adyson Bales who has good length and strong around the rim, she also has a nice touch out to the mid range. Makenzie Mumaw is also a solid guard for the Rockets, and I think we'll have to play well for them to make a deep run. I loved watching these two teams battle in years past, I expect this year to be potentially a great matchup if they get to their second game.   PLAYERS TO WATCH    She has been a double-double machine, with 17 of them this season. Lilly is forced to play the point guard at times in high school but her more natural position in college will be a three. She has good range and has developed a nice shot. Also can get to the room with good moves, strong footwork, and does a nice job scoring off the offensive rebound.     What a career for this young lady! She's heading to Cedarville next year but first she wants one final run in the postseason. They are the number one seed out of Dayton and she is poised to make memories with what they hope is a solid few weeks. I've said before, I love her demeanor and her ability to just be a natural born leader.     I have not seen this young lady yet in person, but from what I've seen on film, she is an impact player anywhere around the paint. Strong physical frame, which allows her to play and compete in a physical style game. Runs the floor well on the break and can finish. Defensively does a great job at shot blocking and protecting her spot.     I believe she is the top player in the MAC, and she let her team to what is essentially the league championship game tonight at Saint Henry. Katey has seen her game grow exponentially with excellent handles, can score and explode to the rim, knock down the three, and her defense forces mistakes, which also capitalizes into scoring points.     Miller well absolutely light you up from behind the arc. Several games this year she has done her damage well behind the three-point strike. Steady and consistent, good handles and a good leader, Spring has capabilities of contributing in many ways.     She has a very solid and complete game, can score in all three phases including slashing to the rim to score, good, smooth floater at the rim and a very solid, productive all around later. She's only a junior so she will continue to improve!    3 SLEEPERS TO WATCH    It seems like every day she hits the court during her freshman year, she's getting better and better. She has settled into her spot with the bulldogs, and has led them near the top of her league. Blends well with the juniors and seniors on this roster, Fulton is just starting. Long lanky, good in the paint with good hands and solid court vision.     This 5-7 guard has excellent speed, can get to her spots and is able to beat you in multiple ways. Also, on the defensive side, she has very active hands which can force mistakes and cause pressure leading to scoring chances for her team.     This freshman is getting better and better, strong, solid frame, excellent rebounder. Able to finish in transition at the rim with contact. Continuing to learn the game which should lead to a really bright future.    SLEEPER TEAM WHO COULD SNEAK OUT   A 6th seed or below that COULD sneak out and make it to the district finals.   Summit Country Day #7   They finished the regular season right around .500, but for some reason this team seems to bring out their best in the postseason. We already took a look at Breiz Kelly, but keep your eye on Muna Anusionwu another junior, along with Sophia Strehle. If they do get past Blanchester in their first test, they would likely have to battle the number one seed Maderia, which will be a tough task. But don't count these guys out!     MY PREDICTIONS   In the top bracket, Waynesville is going to be tough to beat to advance to the district finals. They've got three very solid starters and the tradition of knowing how to win in the postseason.   I think I'm taking Montessori in the next bracket, as the number five seed. They're going to have a tough battle in both of their games, Clermont Northeastern, and assuming they beat them and they would have to get through Williamsburg. Very tough road, but this is my upset special.   Madeira and Versailles are on a collision course for the district finals, both of these teams have what it takes to advance into the regionals. It will be hard to believe that anybody plays a tougher schedule in this bracket than Versailles all season long, which would make me tend to believe they can advance. They've got size and excellent guard play.   Anna took the bye and we just have to get through Miami East to get to the district. Like I mentioned above, this would be an absolute intense second round matchup. Mariemont looks advanced in the very bottom bracket, but they have to be able to play consistent.

It's tournament time throughout the state of Ohio, and over the next few days. I'll take a look at some of the brackets, teams and players in Southwest Ohio as the sectional tournament begins next week in the Buckeye State!