A tremendous weekend for boys' basketball is set for Feb. 1-2 at the Wilbur Berkey Fieldhouse in the Battle at the Berkey.
What started out as a goal to pit some of the best teams from western Ohio against some of the best in the east, has manifested itself since its start in 2021. It has churned out some great matchups, with a plethora of bigger market schools on day two. It gives local fans a chance to see teams, who many predict will make long runs into OHSAA tournament.
"I grew up going to the state tournament and I'd always see these western Ohio teams just perform so well at the state level," said Corey Kauffman, the event's founder and Smithville coach. "I wanted to take our best teams from the area and go get them. It's evolved into an east vs west thing and last year it really exploded. There are just some really good teams and some of the best schools that we could get are on Sunday. It pits teams of similar size and talent against each other."
Some of key matchups for the weekend are:
Hiland vs Harvest Prep: Two talented squads that are both ranked inside the top 100 per maxpreps. Hiland (Div. VI, 13-0) is ranked no. 13 in Ohio per maxpreps and Harvest Prep (Div. V, 10-7) is ranked no. 100. The Hawks are led by 6-3 senior forward, Nick Wigton, who is averaging 17.8 points per game and Alex Miller, who averages 11.5 per game. Senior point guard Brandon Roddy (6-1) and junior forward Ephraim Campbell (6-5) lead the Warriors as Roddy is ranked no. 57 in the state and Campbell is just a tick higher, ranked no. 55 in the state.
"It will be a huge challenge for us, especially as the third game in the week," said Hawk's coach Mark Schlabach. "These are the types of games that help us get ready for the tournament. We know we have to play close to perfect to be competitive."
Newport (KY) vs Archbishop Hoban: One of the bigger teams in Kentucky will make the trip up north to play Archbishop Hoban (Div. III, 13-2) in Newport (11-7).
The Wildcats are led by forwards James Turner and Griffin Starks. Turner is a 6-7 junior and is ranked no. 13 in Kentucky and Starks is a 6-8 sophomore, who is ranked no. 10 in the state.
Leading the Knights is 6-8 junior Sam Greer, who will anchor the post and is ranked no. 26 in the State. John Johnson, a 6-3 sophomore forward is also one of Hoban’s best playmakers and will be counted on.
Margaretta vs Canton Central Catholic: This one should be an exciting day one matchup as Margaretta (Div. V, 17-0) plays against Canton Central Catholic (Div. V, 11-3), two very talented teams.
The Polar Bears are led by Julian Washington, who is a 6-4 sophomore guard, who is ranked no. 5 in Ohio and no. 1 at his position. Washington isn't alone as Judah Keller, a 6-0 junior guard, is ranked no. 74 in the state. Opposing them and leading the Crusaders is Will Minor, a 6-8 freshman forward, who is already ranked, no. 17 in the state and fourth at his position.
Delaware Hayes vs Summit Academy North (MI): This day two pairing will feature Delaware Hayes (Div. I, 12-3) against Summit Academy North from Michigan (13-2). The Dragons are led by Amir Perryman, a 5-9 senior guard, who is ranked no. 33 in the state and Chance Houser, who is a 6-3 junior forward, who is ranked no. 126 in the state.
The Pacers are led by Kent State University commit Landon Vanderwarker, who is a 6-7 senior, ranked no. 17 in the Buckeye state. Fellow seniors Carter Piatt-Brown (6-3, no. 136) and Will Sims (6-5, no. 192) join him, and junior Chase Griggs (5-11) is ranked no. 113 in the state.
Lexington vs Lutheran West: Shutting down the tournament will be Lexington (Div. III, 14-2) and Lutheran West (Div. III, 11-4). The Minuteman are currently tied atop the OCC and boast juniors Brayden Fogle and Seven Allen, two of the OCC’s best playmakers. Fogle is a 6-5 forward and is ranked no. 25 in the state and Allen is a 5-10 guard and is ranked no. 62 in Buckeye State.
The Longhorns are led by a quartet of players ranked inside the state’s top 100 in Aidan Monroe, Ryan Calo, Matthew Meyer and Joshua Meyer. Monroe (sophomore), a 6-5 forward, is ranked no. 16, Calo (senior), a 6-3 guard is ranked no. 48, Matthew (senior), 6-7 center is ranked no. 77 and Joshua (senior), a 6-6 forward is ranked no. 81.
Genoa vs Smithville: The host and the closer of day one is Smithville (Div. VI, 14-2) as they will play host to Genoa (Div. V, 11-3). Entering the event, the Smithies are just a game back of Wayne County Athletic League leading Norwayne and have aspirations of evening matters on Feb. 11th in their rematch at the Berkey. Quinn Maibach leads Smithville with an average of 15 ppg with Ethan Piatt, Brennan Piatt and Jax Riggenbach each averaging double figures.
The Comets are led by 6-6 junior forward Ryan Plantz, who is ranked no. 26 in the state.