Scouting Report: Title clinchers, old rivalries highlight big hoops weekend

MANSFIELD — Two boys basketball league championships can be clinched on Friday night.

And then the weekend gives way to an old rivalry and possibly one of the biggest showdowns in the entire state. Let's take a look at this weekend's big games along with some players to watch as the regular season begins to enter its final stretch.

Primetime Matchups

Clear Fork at Shelby boys, Friday

The Whippets come into Friday's game against Clear Fork with a chance to do something that has never been done before in program history — clinch at least a share of their fourth consecutive Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship. A four-peat has never happened. Not even back in the Larry Siegfried days have the Whippets ever won four straight league titles. Granted, Siegfried played in an era when freshmen weren't allowed to play varsity or they might have, but nonetheless this is history in the making. Clear Fork is playing some of its best basketball of late and is just two single-digit losses and an overtime loss away from being on a four-game winning streak. This will be anything but easy for either team, which s exactly what they both want with the tournament quickly approaching.

Lexington at Wooster boys, Friday

The other Richland County team that can clinch at least a share of a league championship is Ohio Cardinal Conference-leading Lexington. The Minutemen head Friday to Wooster, where the Generals have to think they have a good chance to delay the celebration after only losing to Lex by three at their place earlier in the season. This is a key stretch for the Minutemen with Wooster Friday, Ottawa-Glandorf Saturday, Shelby Tuesday and Mansfield Senior next Friday to round out the regular season. A win here to clinch at least a share of the league title sure would relieve a lot of pressure heading into the final week of the regular season.

Mansfield Senior at Ashland boys, Friday

The Tygers have so much to play for this weekend. First, it is a revenge game against Ashland on Friday night. The Tygers lost 52-49 to the Arrows at home on Jan. 3, so they have to be coming in with some extra motivation. If that isn't enough, a win at Ashland would give the Tygers an opportunity to possibly play for at least a share of the OCC title next week at home against Lexington. If Lexington loses to Wooster Friday and New Philadelphia falls to Mount Vernon, the Tygers could sneak into the conversation with a win over Ashland and Lexington. That scenario would create a three-way tie for the league championship. There is still a chance.

Ontario at Colonel Crawford boys, Saturday

After Friday's insanity, Saturday brings in some very interesting matchups with an old North Central Conference rivalry as Ontario travels to Colonel Crawford. Ontario owns a 51-19 all-time advantage against Colonel Crawford in head-to-head matchups. The Warriors are playing some of their best basketball right now with a five-game winning streak while Crawford is on the outside looking in on the N10 title race, so they are fully in tourney prep mode and what better way than to play a hot Division II team?

Lexington at Ottawa-Glandorf boys, Saturday

As mentioned earlier, this might be one of the most intriguing games in the entire state on Saturday. OG is a state-title contender in Division III and Lexington has high tournament hopes of its own, so it will be a win-win for both teams. It will also feature two of the best players in their respective classes who we will read about in a little bit. Neither team will likely see a better opponent throughout their district tournaments so it is a perfect measuring stick to see just hard far they need to go as the postseason approaches. And a long road trip for Lex would be good.

Key Players to Watch

Issaiah Ramsey, Shelby

With the Colts zeroing in on stopping Alex Bruskotter and Casey Lantz, Issaiah Ramsey will be the X-factor Friday night. He is so good around the rim that if he gets going and forces the Colts to break out of any special defense they may have cooked up, it could be great for the Whippets. Ramsey is dynamic on both the offensive and defensive glass, so even if he isn't the one shooting he will make you pay with his second-chance points opportunities. A very, very good athlete.

Adam Vanausdle, Clear Fork

Vanausdle has shown immense improvement throughout this season and is a major reason why the Colts have won 600% more games than they did last year. He is a strong player who has a nice mid-range jumper and can get to the rim. He has the desire to be good but, most importantly, wants his team to be great. He is the type of player every coach wishes they had more of.

Nathaniel Haney, Mansfield Senior

Possibly one of the most athletic and dynamic players in Richland County, Haney may be short in stature but has the quickness and the handles to get by anyone off the dribble and has the leaping ability and fitness to finish in traffic. And, he can finish above the rim. If the Tygers are hoping to accomplish what they set out to do at the beginning of the year, they will need Haney's leadership as the lone senior to shine through. And he can lead them wherever he wants to go.

Kelsar Bates, Ashland

A nice shooter for the Arrows, Bates is making 40% of his 3-point attempts and really benefits from defenses collapsing down in the paint on drives. Mr. Reliable will consistently hit the open jumper and give you double-digit scoring. He could be the X-factor who gives Ashland the season sweep. He had 14 points and was 3-for-3 from 3 the first time around against the Tygers, so expect him to do much of the same.

Brayden Fogle, Lexington

One of the top-rated freshmen in the entire nation, Fogle has lived up to the part this year. He is a consistent scorer on a team overflowing with players who are capable of going off for 20 on any given night. What has been most impressive is his unselfishness. A kid with so much hype surrounding him could easily play selfishly, and he hasn't shown that at all this year. He finishes well around the rim and has a nice mid-range jumper, but his explosive ability out in transition is a game-changer. Fogle rebounds very well and has the strength to battle inside with players four years older than him. He is shooting 56% from the field and has 124 total rebounds, 35 assists and 24 steals — the literal definition of a stat-sheet stuffer.

Brady Bowen, Wooster

Bowen torched the Minutemen the first time around with 20 points, including going perfect from deep. He plays 6-foot-5 despite barely measuring in at 6 feet. He has an impressive motor and skillset for a high school player, and is someone who can help Wooster beat just about anybody with his offensive abilities. He's one of those players you want on your team any day of the week.

Colin White, Ottawa-Glandorf

One of the biggest recruits in Ohio at any age, White already has offers from West Virginia, Northern Iowa, Xavier and Akron, just to name a few. Only a junior but he has quite the legacy already brewing, and it should be extremely fun to see him and Fogle get after it. White is a complete player with every trick in the bag. He can shoot it from outside, pull up for a mid-range jumper off the dribble and get to the basket, where he will finish with authority. A natural winner.

Gage Weaver, Ontario

The true definition of a small forward, Weaver can play inside and dominate a smaller defender or play outside against a bigger, slower defender, making him a matchup nightmare. He has a relentless motor and battles for every rebound while also having the athletic ability to guard one of the opposing team's best players. Weaver is a natural athlete and an impact player on any team in any sport.

Jacob Maddy, Colonel Crawford

Moody is one of the best back-to-the-basket players in the entire area, and once he realized how good he could be playing that way he has grown into his own. He dominates the glass and finishes very well inside and is a great free-throw shooter, so sending him to the line is a mistake. He rarely comes off the floor, which is rare for the big man in the middle, but that just proves how hard he has worked at his conditioning and his game over the year.

Weekend Schedule

Friday

Boys Basketball

Mount Gilead at Lucas

Mansfield Christian at Central Christian

St. Peter's at Loudonville

Clear Fork at Shelby

Ontario at Marion Harding

Lexington at Wooster

West Holmes at Madison

Mansfield Senior at Ashland

Girls Basketball

Crestview at Plymouth

Saturday

Boys Basketball

Lucas at Plymouth

Lake Center Christian at Mansfield Christian

Temple Christian at St. Peter's

Ontario at Colonel Crawford

Shelby at Upper Sandusky

Lexington at Ottawa-Glandorf

Madison at Marion Harding

Trotwood Madison at Mansfield Senior

Girls Basketball

Lucas at Riverdale

Centerburg at Mansfield Christian

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Title clinchers, old rivalries highlight big basketball weekend