IRISH FACE TOUGH OPPONENTS IN OPENING WEEK OF LEAGUE PLAY

Coming off a season opening win against Hard Road rival Worthington Kilbourne, the Irish prepare to face a pair of traditional Ohio Capital Conference basketball powers in Olentangy and Westerville South this week.

OLENTANGY

Scioto travels to Lewis Center to take on the Braves on Tuesday, December 9. The Junior Varsity game is scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. and the Varsity game at around 7:30 PM. It is Olentangy's season opener.

This will mark the 20th game in the series. The Irish last played at Olentangy in 2005 and came home with a hard fought 74-63 victory. Coach Chris Kelly's teams have posted winning records in all five seasons that he has led the Braves.

The Braves typically try to push the ball up the floor and use their depth to wear down opponents. This season, they have added size in the front court which gives them the potential to showcase different styles of play.

Olentangy returns seven letterwinners in seniors Dayjon Baugh (5-10 guard), Mitchell Girberd (5-11 guard), Matt Huter (6-4 center), Eric Newman (6-4 forward) and Alex Tracy (6-1 guard) and juniors Raphael Carter-Nowling (6-7 forward) and Ben-Michael Welch (5-10 guard).

To read more about Olentanby, visit This Week Newspapers Braves preview.

Note: The Irish freshman team will play at Olentangy on Saturday, December 13. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 PM.

WESTERVILLE SOUTH

The Irish will open the home portion of OCC schedule with a game against 2008 regional finalist Westerville South on Friday, December 12.

The freshman teams are scheduled to tip at 4:30 p.m. with the Junior Varsity (6 p.m.) and Varsity (7:30 p.m.) games following.

Westerville South opened the 2008-09 season with a 57-41 win at Buckeye Valley on December 6. They are scheduled to play crosstown rival Westerville Central on December 9.

Coach Ed Calo guided his Wildcats to an 18-8 (7-3 in the OCC Cardinal) record last year, including an upset win over highly regarded Columbus Northland in the district semi-finals. The Wildcats knocked out the Irish in a regional semi-final, earning a 55-49 victory, and gave eventual state champion Newark a tough test before falling, 62-57.

In his 22nd season of coaching, Calo's Wildcats are known for their pressure defense and motion offense.

To read more about Westerville South, visit This Week Newspapers Westerville South preview.