Federal League: Friday Night

Things are getting interesting in the Federal League. by Josh Weir

Tonight’s two league tournament semifinals are rematches of regular-season classics. No. 4 seed McKinley goes to top-seed Jackson, and No. 3 GlenOak visits No. 2 Hoover. Here’s a look at these high school boys basketball matchups.

McKinley at Jackson

THE RECORDS

McKinley 12-3, 5-3; Jackson 12-3, 7-1

THE LAST TIME

Jan. 2 at Jackson

McKinley 63, Jackson 62 After trailing most of the night, Jamon McClain’s second-effort bucket in the lane with 8.4 seconds left proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs. McKinley settled for perimeter shots early but started carving up Jackson’s zone defense as the night progressed. On the other end, McKinley’s harassing pressure made it difficult for Jackson to get the ball to 6-foot-8 Mark Henniger and 6-6 Josh Egner.

WHAT THEY’VE DONE SINCE

The Bulldogs lost three of their next four games after beating Jackson, including at home to Hoover and GlenOak. They seem to have righted the ship, winning five in a row heading into tonight.

The Polar Bears haven’t lost since McKinley. Their seven-game winning streak includes road wins at Hoover and GlenOak.

THE SKINNY

Plenty of post touches spell success for Jackson. No McKinley regular stands taller than 6-4. McKinley’s numerous penetrators would be wise to take it right at Jackson and try to get the big boys in foul trouble.

JACKSON X-FACTOR

The Polar Bears will be tough to beat if guards Brad DuPont, Eric Pace and Dan Tamburro continue their steady play. McKinley’s pressure will test them.

MCKINLEY X-FACTOR

If the Bulldogs hit perimeter shots and space the floor, guarding them is a nightmare. McClain, Terrell Lipkins, Tommie Harris and Branden Means are deadly off the dribble.

POINTS TO PONDER

Henniger is averaging 29 points in his last two games vs. McKinley. He leads Jackson at 21.0 points a game.


Egner, a 13.2 point-per-game scorer, is averaging 17.4 in his last five games.


When the Bulldogs hold an opponent to 60 points or less, they are 9-0.


GlenOak at Hoover

THE RECORDS

GlenOak 13-3, 6-2; Hoover 13-2, 7-1

THE LAST TIME

Jan. 30 at GlenOak

Hoover 64, GlenOak 61 (2OT)

Nyles Evans’ 3-point play with 3.7 seconds left in the second overtime proved to be the winner. The Vikings completely controlled the pace with a sharp, deliberate attack. Their box-and-1 defense was enough to hold C.J. McCollum, individually, and the Golden Eagles, collectively, to season lows in points — 22 and 61, respectively. And that was in 40 minutes of basketball.

WHAT THEY’VE DONE SINCE

A night after losing to Hoover, GlenOak traveled to Dayton Dunbar — then ranked fourth in Ohio’s Division II — and knocked off the Wolverines behind 35 points from McCollum. The following week, however, brought another home league loss to Jackson.

The Vikings have won three times since GlenOak, including two nail-biters against Lake. Overall, the Vikings have won seven straight since losing to Jackson on Jan. 16.

THE SKINNY

Tempo. Tempo. Tempo. If the game gets going fast, point guard Storm Sanders and the GlenOak attack flourish. A slower pace to GlenOak is like putting a sports car in mud. Few teams dictate tempo as well as Hoover.

HOOVER

X-FACTOR

The size and strength of Cory Veldhuizen, Tyler Fausnight, Nick Sommers and Joe Gross are difficult for GlenOak to match. Veldhuizen, Sommers and Fausnight combined for 35 points and 23 rebounds the first time. Gross missed the game because of illness.

GLENOAK X-FACTOR

Who’s going to step up for GlenOak and make plays down the stretch beside McCollum? He can’t do it all by himself. Or can he?

POINTS TO PONDER

McCollum has scored at least 33 points in each of his last three games and is averaging a Stark County-high 30.0 this season.


The Vikings have won games with baskets in the final five seconds on three occasions this season. Hoover is 5-0 in games decided by 5 points or less.


Seven Vikings have led the team in scoring this season, with Evans’ five times leading the way. Only once has anyone other than McCollum led GlenOak in scoring.