The Favorites: Division IV
Based on program cultures and talent, we believe there are four teams in Division IV that should be considered the favorites to make it down to The Schott for the Final Four. If any of these teams win the State Championship, it would come as no surprise.
Mansfield St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s came into the postseason with an undefeated record a year ago. They were upset by Delphos St. John’s in the Regional Finals. Tyson Kent, a quick slashing guard, is their biggest loss to graduation.
St. Peter’s is returning three of their top players and comes into the season as possibly the best team in Ohio’s Division IV. Jared Jakubuck averaged 18.3 points as a junior and earned Player of the Year in Ohio. Jakubick is a combo guard with size that is the leader of the team. He’s joined on the perimeter by a quicker Elijah Cobb. Finally, Mason Campbell is an undersized post player that makes up for his height disadvantage by being a good leaper and tough kid.
Cornerstone Christian
Cornerstone Christian could not defend their Division IV State Championship a year ago, falling to Warren John F. Kennedy in the District Finals. They’ve graduated Brandon McQueen, a Third Team All State selection.
However, CCA does return a First Team All State guy in Michael Bothwell, who has already built a legacy at the school. The Furman commit will be the most talented player in Division IV basketball this season, and possibly the most important too. He can score it at will, averaging over 20 points in consecutive seasons, but Bothwell is also willing to kick to open shooters when the defense collapses. CCA will also be pretty big in comparison to fellow Division IV contenders. Including Euclid transfer Martel Ferrell, who didn’t play last season because of transferring regulations. Ferrell can attack from the outside at 6’6” and is also a strong rebounder.
Marion Local
Marion Local finished last season with an 18-8 record after making a run to the Regional Finals in Division III last season. They’ve been dropped to Division IV without losing any key contributors from last season’s team.
Tyler Mescher, an undersized big man at 6’1”, has a high motor and will clean up the boards once again, alongside junior Nathan Bruns. The Mescher-Bruns duo was the reason for their success a season ago too. They have a combination of power and skill and both will average over 10 points and 5 rebounds this season. Bruns, a 6’5” versatile defender, projects to the Division II level. Tyler Prenger and Collin Everman also return to solidify their backcourt.
Fort Loramie
The #15 Fort Loramie Redskins lost by two points to eventual Regional Champion Lima Perry in last season’s Regional Semifinals. Fort Loramie returns their top players in Dillon Braun, Evan Berning, and Tyler Siegel, all of which are seniors. They made their run last season without the help of Berning at the end, as he had an injury that sidelined him. He’s an aggressive guard that will help their scoring totals. He’s joined in the backcourt by Berning, who was First Team All League last year. Siegel takes care of the paint as a 6’7” center.