2018/19 OVC

[danicalifornia]

I agree that GA is the odds on favorite to win the OVC. It is hard to argue that the 7'2" Loveday shouldn't push GA to the top in this league. Beyond that, how far they go in the playoffs is well within unknown. I remember the last 4 years the Fairland Dragons were hyped to win state, especially the last 2 years of the "golden group" playing together. Things happen! They never reached the promise land. I wont believe the hype about Loveday until he proves it. He certainly has the ability to be that player to dominate teams depending on how the team is coached and how other players play around him. I hope they don't fall into the trap of believing their own hype before they win anything. GA fans have all the right to be excited for this coming season. One game at a time young bloods.

Loveday has offers prior to his junior year from Ohio State, Louisville, Purdue, etc. and he still needs to prove something to you?*

When he was in middle school he was getting offers and interest because he was around 7 foot tall has some skills, colleges like to get a jump on anyone, yes anyone, with those traits. He has upside. college interests are not uncommon. that doesn't mean he will eventually sign with any of those early interest teams. I watched him play in many OVC games and he didn't dominate the game. That is the OVC. I hope he improves and continues to show interest in the game. I've seen many a player get early attention from d1 schools only to end up going to their local college and not even play sports. He not only has to prove it to me but he continually has to prove it to recruiters. Hyping this talented kid up only hurts his mental state if that hype stops him from working and improving and thinks he has nothing to prove. It should constantly be on his mind that he needs to prove it to all before he has even signed with any major team. so yes, prove it to me. Do you follow where I'm coming from.

I’m quoting this just to make sure it doesn’t get edited. Yikes.

[sportzfan]

I’ve watched him once, they only posted him up once in that game and he scored there. He also played really good defense. One would assume that they will try to get him the ball more often, but that’s not on him.

He’s a 4-Star recruit who received 3 more offers in June (not just interest, but offers). He wouldn’t be the #1 recruit in Ohio in his class if he didn’t have the talent and just had size.

Are you carefully reading others posts before you reply. Did I not say "skilled" "talented" "upside" "has the ability to dominate"! Not just size! GA hadn't won even the OVC yet since he's been there, Although I suspect they will this year. The whole post was about a mental state he and the team must stay in to complete their/his journey, be it in high school or beyond. To your point about "just has size" I've seen kids his size that hadn't played Basketball receives offers. DMUP and Geronimo stated in so many words what I have said about this "7'2" kid in previous posts. They will come to him but he needs continuous improvement, and for Gods sake stay away from the "hype" especially if it diminishes his hunger.

To your observation about him posting up, I've noticed him being pushed off the block too easily, and the entry passer not being patient or skilled enough to get him the ball. Great passer, great blocker and well coordinated. As you said its not on him, most times, if he doesn't get the ball.

Have a good season.

[Prep Expert]

Sportzfan you seem to be some type of expert on big man recruitment. I must have been living under a rock for the last 20 years because I didn’t know Southeastern Ohio had so many 7 footers that received offers. You make it sound like Loveday is a dime a dozen. In the games I saw him I would say that he is one of the most unique players we have had in Southeastern Ohio. Why don’t you just enjoy him play the next couple of years instead of criticizing this young man!

[sportzfan]

Sportzfan you seem to be some type of expert on big man recruitment. I must have been living under a rock for the last 20 years because I didn’t know Southeastern Ohio had so many 7 footers that received offers. You make it sound like Loveday is a dime a dozen. In the games I saw him I would say that he is one of the most unique players we have had in Southeastern Ohio. Why don’t you just enjoy him play the next couple of years instead of criticizing this young man!

I never criticized him. I only hope those who are around him don’t hype him up to the point it gets to his head, and fall into the trap that many others have. I will enjoy watching him this year. I know him and his family. And as far as basketball, I’ve been around, I’ve seen a lot. Not only in the States but Europe and Australia. I’m not young. If you were any athlete at all you would understand where I’m coming from. Take time to read between the lines.

[golfis4me]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/c ... 112498002/

[bbjunky81]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/c ... 112498002/

Great article, I really like all the things I read on this young man.

Tons of national attention and offers pouring in from D1 programs all over the country. Hopefully this young man will stay committed and work his tail off whenever he gets to college, as with his size and athleticism/coordination he has a real chance at making the league one day.

[pfloyd]

... I will fortunate enough to get to see Gallia Academy & Mr. Loveday making the trek to Logan to take on my Purple this winter ! I wish the young BIG man nothing but the best ... 7-1 a given to get tons of looks from the world, BUT this young man can put the ball on the floor, can shoot AND MAKE the 3 ball ... AND I haven't mentioned all the qualities that go with being 7-1 that every expects from a BIG - blocked shots, rebounding, altering opponents shots IF they get into the paint but more importantly altering an opponents game plan forcing them (possibly) away from what THEY (the opponent) wants to do - IF that alone happens its a WIN for the Gallia team as the opponent is not getting to spots on the floor where they are comfortable, shots are different from spots on the floor that an opponent is forced to shoot from ... bottom line Mr. Loveday makes Gallia Academy the TEAM to beat this season in the OVC ... it will be interesting to see who else steps up for Gallia Academy to make them a "balanced" ball club ... Balance is a must for GAHS if they are going to go deep into the post season imo ...

[Pa Trojan]

hoping the Trojans take a step forward,GA may be the team to beat, but I miss the days when the trip to show always needed to drive through Portsmouth

[trojandave]

Very excited to hear about the progress of Portsmouth's Andrew Meadows, who is a 6-6 senior. The Trojans have lacked size for quite a while, in fact, have not had a starter at least 6-5 since Dion McKinley in 2012. Meadows will definitely push 6-3 senior Myquel McKinley for playing time. McKinley, meanwhile, is in great shape, having lost 15 pounds playing soccer at PHS. With Meadows improvement, the Trojans will have more of a defensive presence in the paint, along with McKinley, to go along with overall a very athletic team.

[VetteMan]

Has Andrew Meadows been playing the past 3 years? I noticed you talked about improvement. Sometimes it takes a big man a little longer to really show that he has really improved that much.

[trojandave]

VetteMan: He played last year on the JV team, but that was his first year of organized basketball. He participated in most of the summer shootouts and has been working out on his own. Defensively, he has always been respectable and seems to have good timing on altering or blocking shots. Offensively, he has struggled with finishing around the basket, but he has improved a lot in this area. He is right now at the point where he can give the Trojans valuable minutes, and maybe even push for that starting 5 spot, although it is unlikely. Still, it is nice to see PHS with some legitimate size that can give opponents something to think about when going into the paint. He gives Portsmouth some much needed depth at that position.

[VetteMan]

That's the important thing, whether he starts or not its good that you have some size and depth at the center position. The more that he gets to play,Im sure he will get more confidence each and every game. Thank you for responding.

[BananaSC74]

Chesapeake will run away this conference, you heard it here first. The boys in purple will be celebrating all season long, with plenty of trophies at the end of it...

[VetteMan]

You think that it might be possible that the Blue Devils, the Trojans or the Hornets could have something to do with them running away with the conference?

[trojandave]

Chesapeake will be improved, no doubt, but Gallia Academy is the prohibitive favorite, and should be. The Blue Devils could post the 4th consecutive undefeated league record, following Fairland's trifecta from 2016-2018.

[Tri-StateYouthSports]

FINAL Standings (Updated Feb-15 10:11 PM)

• 
  (13-1) Fairland
  (11-3) Ironton
  (10-4) Coal Grove
  (9-5) Gallia Academy
  (5-9) Chesapeake
  (5-9) South Point
  (3-11) Portsmouth
  (0-14) Rock Hill
  

=========================================================================
Schedule/Results

Tue Dec-11

• South Point(65) @ (58)Chesapeake
  Portsmouth(54) @ (66)Coal Grove
  Ironton(51) @ (58)Fairland
  Rock Hill(33) @ (64)Gallia Academy

Fri Dec-14

• Chesapeake(57) @ (36)Rock Hill
  South Point(45) @ (47)Portsmouth
  Coal Grove(46) @ (51)Fairland
  Gallia Academy(57) @ (59)Ironton

Fri Jan-04

• Portsmouth(52) @ (62)Chesapeake
  Rock Hill(36) @ (69)Ironton
  Fairland(35) @ (49)South Point
  Gallia Academy(65) @ (58)Coal Grove

Tue Jan-08

• Chesapeake(62) @ (69)Ironton
  Portsmouth(30) @ (49)Fairland
  Rock Hill(59) @ (64)Coal Grove
  South Point(43) @ (54)Gallia Academy

Fri Jan-11

• Chesapeake(42) @ (54)Coal Grove
  Ironton(58) @ (17)South Point
  Rock Hill(61) @ (80)Portsmouth
  Fairland(69) @ (44)Gallia Academy

Tue Jan-15

• Fairland(56) @ (47)Chesapeake
  Coal Grove(67) @ (62)Ironton
  South Point(62) @ (56)Rock Hill
  Gallia Academy(62) @ (44)Portsmouth

Fri Jan-18

• South Point(33) @ (46)Coal Grove
  Fairland(39) @ (32)Rock Hill
  Ironton(73) @ (56)Portsmouth
  Chesapeake(57) @ (68)Gallia Academy

Tue Jan-22

• Chesapeake(56) @ (38)South Point
  Coal Grove(64) @ (33)Portsmouth
  Fairland(30) @ (28)Ironton
  Gallia Academy(58) @ (34)Rock Hill

Fri Jan-25

• Rock Hill(30) @ (66)Chesapeake
  Portsmouth(56) @ (57)South Point
  Fairland(61) @ (41)Coal Grove
  Ironton(63) @ (55)Gallia Academy

Tue Jan-29

• Chesapeake(60) @ (31)Portsmouth
  Ironton(47) @ (45)Rock Hill
  South Point(42) @ (52)Fairland
  Coal Grove(51) @ (49)Gallia Academy

Tue Feb-05

• Coal Grove(57) @ (54)Chesapeake
  South Point(36) @ (53)Ironton
  Portsmouth(59) @ (50)Rock Hill
  Gallia Academy(31) @ (37)Fairland

Fri Feb-08

• Chesapeake(40) @ (61)Fairland
  Ironton(67) @ (62)Coal Grove
  Rock Hill(37) @ (60)South Point
  Portsmouth(37) @ (56)Gallia Academy

Sat Feb-09

• Coal Grove(65) @ (46)Rock Hill
  Ironton(59) @ (52)Chesapeake

Tue Feb-12

• Fairland(60) @ (35)Portsmouth
  Gallia Academy(56) @ (53)South Point

Fri Feb-15

• Coal Grove(55) @ (54)South Point
  Rock Hill(21) @ (52)Fairland
  Portsmouth(24) @ (69)Ironton
  Gallia Academy(56) @ (51)Chesapeake

[pfloyd]

Good stuff !!! ... getting pumped for opening night games !!! thanks TSYS !!!

[OHHS old timer]

So I guess it is Gallia...Fairland.........then all the rest eh?

Jan 11th and Feb 5th really are THE games....barring the upset.

[trojandave]

OHHS old timer: Fairland lost their entire starting 5, and their 6th man. I have picked Fairland for 5th in the OVC. I actually think that Gallia's biggest challenge might come from Ironton, which returns starters Charlie Large, Ethan Wilson, and Reid Carrico. They only lost to the Blue Devils last season by 7 at Ironton. I also look for Chespeake to be quite improved, but not enough to win the league.

Fairland simply lost too much to even come close to what they did the last 3 years. That was a special group of players for Coach Speed.

[VetteMan]

OHHS old timer: Fairland lost their entire starting 5, and their 6th man. I have picked Fairland for 5th in the OVC. I actually think that Gallia's biggest challenge might come from Ironton, which returns starters Charlie Large, Ethan Wilson, and Reid Carrico. They only lost to the Blue Devils last season by 7 at Ironton. I also look for Chespeake to be quite improved, but not enough to win the league.

Fairland simply lost too much to even come close to what they did the last 3 years. That was a special group of players for Coach Speed.

I know that we are quite a way from the start of the season, but if you were to guess, where would you put the Trojans at this early stage?