Dayton Power Rankings: Preseason Edition
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, high school basketball fans get prepped for the first full weekend of the OHSAA regular season. Many teams have started preseason play with scrimmages as squads are finalized and are prepped for opening weekend…
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Continue ReadingWith Thanksgiving right around the corner, high school basketball fans get prepped for the first full weekend of the OHSAA regular season. Many teams have started preseason play with scrimmages as squads are finalized and are prepped for opening weekend next week. For the 2nd consecutive season, we at Prep Hoops Ohio will create a weekly Power Rankings for the teams in Dayton for the 2018-19 season and will update every Sunday. To start things off, I will be releasing the Preseason Power Rankings for all 4 divisions.
Division I
1. Miamisburg- 4 starters return for the Vikings as they enter 2018-19. Even without last season’s leading scorer Jason Hubbard, plenty of talent returns and makes the Vikings the #1 area D1 team in our power rankings.
2. Springfield- The Wildcats lose several key players from graduation and transfer and now try to keep their spot atop the Division I rankings. We really like RaHeim Moss (2019) as he will be a difference maker.
3. Sidney- The Yellow Jackets received great news when they heard Andre Gordon (2019) was returning to Sidney instead of playing his senior year at Huntington Prep (WV). With this addition, plus returning Ratez Roberts (2019), Sidney comes out one of the favorites in Dayton in D1.
4. Wayne- The Warriors lose some serious talent, but have some great young players that should still keep the same competitive atmosphere with the Warriors. Keep an eye on Ronnie Hampton (2019).
5. Centerville- Mo Njie (2020) and Ryan Marchal (2019) return and give the Elks a talented core to challenge in the GWOC East. Njie could compete for POY honors.
Division II
1. Trotwood-Madison- The Rams will continue to sit at the top of Division II until somebody shows they can hang with them. Should easily cruise through sectionals/districts come March. Amari Davis (2019) is bound to have a huge season.
2. Chaminade-Julienne- Plenty of scoring returns for the Eagles. Milton Gage (2019) is one of the top unsigned players in the state. C-J should be the favorite in the GCL North, and has enough in the pipeline to be a strong contender the next 1-2 years.
3. Ponitz- Jaren Smith (2019) and Damonte Bailey (2019) are two of the best players in the Dayton City League. New leadership isn’t enough to hold back the Panthers as they will still be a top team in 2019.
4. Alter- The Knights return all 5 starters from last season’s sectional runner up team. Connor Bazelak (2019) is the top returning player and can contend for GCL POY honors. Should be a tougher opponent than last season, but still not athletic enough to jump C-J as our favorites in the GCL.
5. Thurgood Marshall- Growing pains should finally be over for the Cougars as they look to improve with Anthony McCombs (2021) leading the way. Lack of height is the reason the Cougars are behind Ponitz in the DCL.
Division III
1. Stivers- Tigers have several talented guards, including Trevon Ellis (2020), Allen Lattimore (2021) and Dajuan Allen (2021). Last season’s District runner up finish is a sign of things to come in 2019.
2. Madison- Many key pieces from last season return, including Grant Whisman (2020) but postseason struggles, especially last season, bump the Mohawks to #2 to start the new season.
3. Anna- 3 all-SCAL players return for the Rockets as they try to replicate last season’s remarkable season. Will be the favorite to win an outright league title after finishing in a 3-way tie a year ago.
4. Brookville- The backcourt of Jacob Gudorf (2019) and Wade Turner (2019) will take the Blue Devils far. A SWBL title is likely, and a deep postseason run is possible if other pieces play their part.
5. Arcanum- Yes there is a new coach, but I like this Trojans team, and feel this is their year to make themselves known in Dayton. Carter Gray (2020) is one of my favorite players to watch and could finish all-CCC come March.
Division IV
1. Minster- The Tigers have some big names in Jarod Schulze (2019) and Mike Ketner (2019) returning in 2019. As long as they can hold off the Flyers at Marion Local, Minster should be the clear cut favorite to come out of the Regionals.
2. Marion Local- If more pieces were back besides Nathan Bruns (2019), the defending state champs would be our #1 team. Instead, Minster takes the #1 spot, but the Flyers can easily take over with a solid win in MAC play.
3. Springfield Catholic Central- Last season’s surprise team in D4 is back and loaded for another postseason run. Trey Dunn (2019) and Sabien Doolittle (2019) lead the backcourt as the Irish look to defend their OHC title.
4. Legacy Christian- The Knights battled injuries last season, but if they stay healthy, can challenge the MBC and be a more competitive postseason team. Erik Uszynski (2019) and Keano Hammerstrom (2019) return and will help make the Knights one of the best frontcourts in Dayton D4.
5. Franklin-Monroe- When you have a player like Ethan Conley (2019) on your roster, it is difficult to rule your team out of a top 5. The Jets lose several seniors from last year, but Conley is such a difference maker it makes up for the loss. A CCC title is likely in their future.