The 2nd Annual Turkey Bird Shootout will at Highlands High School will not only feature a brand new state of the art basketball court but it will also feature Nationally recruited Illinois Commitment 6’10 240lb Maverick Morgan of Springboro, OH High School. Morgan was recruited by numerous Division 1 schools such as West Virginia, USC, Dayton, Iowa St, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, etc. Here is a preview of the slate of games that day.

 

Cooper Jaguars vs Springboro, OH Panthers 10AM

 

Cooper, coming off of a 16-15 season, will feature 6’8 big man Luis Maniacci as he leads his highly ranked Jaguars in this battle against the Panthers from Springboro. Maniacci had a huge 9th Region Tournament last year leading his team to the Semifinals and a convincing 56-43 win over Dixie. Three other starters return in sharpshooting swingman A.J Collins, crafty Point Guard Aaron Morgan and 6’5 Drew Shelton. The Jaguars also have added 6’0 Jr Transfer Zach McNeil to their lineup. Mcneil was a standout at Walton Verona during his Freshman and Sophomore years and should add some scoring punch to the already loaded Jags. Coach Sullivan has done a fantastic job with the program and this should be a great matchup. Springboro is coming off a District Championship as well as a 19-5 record. They were ranked #1 by the Dayton Daily News in Division 1 most of the season. 6’10 Maverick Morgan will pose problems for the Jaguars. Matching up against Maniacci will be very interesting for sure.

 

Highlands Bluebirds vs Simon Kenton Pioneers 12PM

 

Both teams could be shorthanded if their football teams advance in the playoffs. Highlands will likely have a better chance of coming into this one without their football players. Six key players will likely be trying to earn their 6th straight Football State Championship. The Bluebirds will be led though by 6’2 195lb returning starter, Bailey Witte, who led the team in 3 point shooting percentage and averaged 8 points a game. A natural guard, Witte played four different positions last year and hit the weight room hard in the offseason putting on 20 lbs of muscle. He will be pose matchup problems for guards in the 9th Region with his increased strength and ability to post up. Seniors Karl Hinkel and Jake Gronotte along with Junior guard Brendan Buten will also play pivotal roles in this matchup. Simon Kenton could also be missing some players but they will have to get hot in the playoffs as they seem to have lost some momentum in football. They will return a very good group of Seniors who have been playing Varsity for 3 seasons. 6’4 Sr Nick Ayers is a slashing forward who can get to the rim and score. Andrew Sampson is the team’s leading returning scorer, he is a hard-nosed kid who finds ways to put the ball in the basket. Senior 3point specialist Riley Barnes also will provide offense from the perimeter and 6’2 Jared Bowling should be a physical presence in the paint. Fellow Senior guard Jared Swanson can create havoc defensively and penetrates the lane very well. Coach Steiner has a very good group coming back with high expectations but they could be missing Sampson/Bowling/Swanson due to Football.

 

Ludlow Panthers vs Walton Verona Bearcats 2PM

 

The Panthers should be a favorite in Class A as they return a solid core of Juniors in 6’3 Mitchell Cody, 6’4 Center Jared Howard and guard Geoffrey Thornsburgh. Cody could develop into a Top 10 9th Region talent, he has excellent skills and great size. His ability to attack the basket is one of his greatest assets. I would expect him to be one of the top scorers in the Region this year. Howard is a returning starter who runs the floor well and will provide additional scoring. Thornsburgh has Varsity experience running the offense and will be the key playmaker for the Panthers. Walton Verona is coming off of a season where they won 18 games but lost one of their top returning scorers in Zach Mcneil, who transferred to Cooper.

The Moeves brothers will likely lead the Bearcats this season as Tanner, a Junior and Grant, a Sophomore, will provide most of the scoring punch. Tanner is a 2 yr starter who has increased his physical strength and could average close to 20pts a game. His younger brother Grant has Varsity experience and will likely have to shoulder some of the scoring load as well. This tandem will be fun to watch as they take on the Panthers in the 3rd game of the day.

 

NCC Thoroughbreds vs Roger Bacon Spartans

 

The Breds are coming off of an excellent 22-9 season and are the Pre-Season #1 Ranked 9th Region team but they will have a chip on their shoulder after falling in the 9th Region Finals two years in a row. Coach Brannen has a loaded group coming back led by Senior 2 yr starting Swingman Michael Beuter. Beuter is a crafty scorer with deceiving quickness and a very high basketball IQ. With super Sophomore Zach Pangallo taking over the point guard responsibilities, this should free up Beuter to add to his scoring average. 6’4 Senior Nick Seibert is coming off a great AAU summer with the NKY Bombers. Siebert has excellent length and has really improved his game over the past 2 seasons. However, Brannen will more than likely butter his bread with Sophomore Big Men 6’6 Drew McDonald and 6’8 Junior Jake Schulte. McDonald came onto the scene early last season as a Freshman with several double digit scoring games and the lanky Schulte had a very good 9th Region Tournament and AAU offseason. He also played with the NKY Bombers and improved his aggressiveness and ability to score during the summer season. The Breds will be very solid with their starting 5 but will need to develop a bench if they plan to make another run at the 9th Region Championship. The Roger Bacon Spartans are historically known as the team who knocked off LeBron James’ Prep team Akron St. Vincent-St Mary team in the 2002 State Finals. Nobody can take that away from the Spartans who are coming off of a 12-13 season in the GCL under Head Coach Brian Neal.

That's a good day of basketball.

40 minute games College rules with 20 minute halves.

 

Concessions and admission to get in.

I guess SK should spot Highlands 30 points?

I guess SK should spot Highlands 30 points?

 

Well we do know that they will have their full squad for about 4 weeks before this contest. What do they say "One and done."

Well we do know that they will have their full squad for about 4 weeks before this contest. What do they say "One and done."

 

Yea the Birds will likely be spotting them 6 players.

 

Also, it should be noted that the Boys games will be held at the Highlands Middle School just a short walk down from the High School Gym. The Girls Shootout will be at the HS GYM this year. They are alternating.

Yea the Birds will likely be spotting them 6 players.

 

Also, it should be noted that the Boys games will be held at the Highlands Middle School just a short walk down from the High School Gym. The Girls Shootout will be at the HS GYM this year. They are alternating.

 

Didn't see a thread on the Girls portion or did I miss it?

Nice lineup...

Didn't see a thread on the Girls portion or did I miss it?

 

Im sorry I dont have that information. I will try and get it from Coach Walz.

Looks like several good matchups. I hope I am able to make to at least a part of this event.

Just to be clear on these scrimmages:

 

Are any of the proceeds from the gate or concessions to be used to fund any scholarships or non-profit orgnizations?

Just to be clear on these scrimmages:

 

Are any of the proceeds from the gate or concessions to be used to fund any scholarships or non-profit orgnizations?

 

LOL, I dont think so. I am thinking the funds will go toward lodging/transportation for the 2 Varsity Tournaments they will travel to over the Holidays. Woodford County and Pikeville.

Just to be clear on these scrimmages:

 

Are any of the proceeds from the gate or concessions to be used to fund any scholarships or non-profit orgnizations?

 

Nice!!!

 

LOL, I dont think so. I am thinking the funds will go toward lodging/transportation for the 2 Varsity Tournaments they will travel to over the Holidays. Woodford County and Pikeville.

 

Before I step foot in the gym, how are the student athletes traveling to Pikeville? If by charter bus can I earmark my dollars toward the Partridge family bus. I know many families are excited to store the bus. After all, we have large private drives and urban active facilities at each of our homes.

Before I step foot in the gym, how are the student athletes traveling to Pikeville? If by charter bus can I earmark my dollars toward the Partridge family bus. I know many families are excited to store the bus. After all, we have large private drives and urban active facilities at each of our homes.

 

The basketball team always takes the big White Passenger Vans. There are no Croswell Buses for Hoops.