2019 Ohio Division II Preview
Aiken- Coach Ty Cass and his team return 5 of the top 7 players from last season. The Falcons will try to show their Regional Semifinal appearance was no fluke. The backcourt will be deep and give Aiken an advantage…
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Continue ReadingAiken- Coach Ty Cass and his team return 5 of the top 7 players from last season. The Falcons will try to show their Regional Semifinal appearance was no fluke. The backcourt will be deep and give Aiken an advantage on the perimeter. Junior Jakada Stone and sophomore Robbie Cass will be the primary scorers and be looked upon for leadership. This Falcons team did an incredible job creating turnovers on the defensive end which should allow Aiken to dominate both ends of the floor. We think if the Falcons can take care of business against Taft and Hughes, they will be in good shape to compete in the CMAC.
Alter- The Knights return in 2019 after a 16-10 finish where they saw themselves finishing as District runner-ups in Division II. Among returning starters are senior guards Brady Uhl and Jack Smith, and forward Conor Stolly. Alter ended the season playing their best basketball as they went undefeated in February before falling 66-56 to a talented Aiken team in the District finals. The Knights struggled against heavy defensive pressure in the loss, but Uhl and Smith should be much improved by time the season starts. Keep an eye on sophomore Jacob Conner in the backcourt. If the Knights can get in the 70s, they will be favorites in many games as they are one of the better defensive teams in Southwest Ohio.
Badin- 7 total seniors are departed for the Rams as they must rebound after an early exit in the Division II sectional. Among the returning talent is seniors Zach Switzer and Spencer Giesting from a team that lost much of their frontcourt talent. Inexperience beyond Switzer and Giesting will be the biggest issues as will Badin be able to control the glass against the rest of the competition in the GCL Coed.
Batavia- The Bulldogs struggled in SBAAC play, winning one game in conference play, but finishing 7-16 overall. 5 of the top 9 players from last year are gone, meaning Batavia will have a few guys with experience that should help them dig out of the basement in the SBAAC American Division. Of the returning guys, junior Owen Wiscombe will be the name to watch for. Batavia finished in the middle among SBAAC teams in most major statistical categories except outside shooting. This will need to vastly improve with so many talented guard-heavy teams in the SBAAC. I don’t see the Bulldogs making a major jump in the conference this season though.
Bellbrook- The Golden Eagles finished 6-17 and were knocked out by Thurgood Marshall in the sectional opener. Coach Donnie Tate graduated 3 seniors but has some young talent that could make Bellbrook a team to watch down the road. Sophomore Ryan Chew impressed in his freshman season and led the team in assists. On the interior, Braedon Gedeon will be looked upon to be an enforcer on the glass and low block. Bellbrook have 3 sophomores coming back from last season and will be one of the younger teams in the SWBL this year. 2019-20 could be a bit of a struggle but if Chew continues to develop and improve, the Golden Eagles could be a dangerous team in 2020-21.
Bellefontaine- Chieftan fans were disappointed with the 6-17 finish Bellefontaine had last year. To make matters worse, 3 starters are gone from that team making it tougher for the Chieftans to compete in the Kenton Division. Senior Declan Ashcraft is the top scorer returning but almost half the scoring average is gone with Jack Clement’s graduation. With no one averaging more than 6 points per game, inexperience and the lack of a consistent scorer will make life difficult again.
Bethel-Tate- Tigers fans are hoping for a better year in 2019-20 as Bethel-Tate finished 3-20 and struggled throughout the year. Two starters are gone, but both guys combined for half of the Tigers scoring output a year ago. The Tigers will rely on two juniors to pick up the slack in Kyle Smith and Cole Hebbard. It is difficult to compete when your team scores 42 points per game, so Bethel-Tate will need to really improve offensively at all aspects. I see the Tigers sitting in the bottom of the SBAAC again and will struggle to compete with the size and experience coming back in the National Division. In addition, a move to D2 this year will be a new experience that the Tigers just don’t have the talent to compete with.
Blanchester- If there is one team that has a chance to challenge Clermont Northeastern in the SBAAC, it has to be the Wildcats. They lose 1 starter from a year ago and their top 4 scorers. The scoring starts with 6’3 junior guard Brayden Sipple who averaged 25 points per game a year ago. The next returning players are all seniors and all 3 averaged at least 7 points and 6 rebounds per game. Jacksson Waialae and Tanner Creager return in the backcourt, while Hunter Bare is back as the frontcourt threat. Clermont Northeastern will be the team that should challenge Blanchester the most, as they defeated the Wildcats twice last year by 8 points total. We expect Clermont to edge them out this year due to their interior presence while Blanchester should finish in the runner-up slot. Outside of conference play, Blanchester moves up a division to D2 this year.
Chaminade-Julienne- C-J was looking like a team that had a chance to take the Dayton District by storm during their 19-5 season. Instead, the Eagles got blown out 61-35 by rival Alter in the sectionals. Head coach Joe Staley retired after the season, and Charlie Szabo was promoted up to the head coach spot. Szabo takes over a squad that lost their two leading scorers from a year ago. Several guys return however and give the Eagles plenty of options to use. Brandon Gibson is the returning scorer, but he will need to improve off his 7 points per game average. Junior Dan Nauseef was the Eagles best low post options and rim protector and should continue to be a viable option for the Eagles guards to distribute the ball to. Other guys including junior guard A.J. Solomon and senior forward Larry Turner will have opportunities early on to be key contributors for C-J. One area of concern is where the Eagles will get their most consistent scoring, as their 2 leading scorers from a year ago made up 50% of the Eagles scoring. C-J is known to be a high-level defensive team and can be a contender yet again if they keep the competitiveness.
Clinton-Massie- The Falcons were playing great basketball last season and went into the sectional tournament with confidence before falling to Thurgood Marshall. After an 8-2 record in SBAAC play, Clinton-Massie will have a tough time repeating that feat as they lose 4 starters from an 18-6 team. Senior guard Brendan Lamb is the lone returning starter and has shown he can be a leader in the backcourt. The Falcons were one of the better 3PT shooting teams a year ago and will try to hold this feat as they lose their top interior presences as well as their primary rebounding threats. One of the better offensive teams a year ago, Clinton-Massie will need to find other guys to support Lamb and create an overall solid lineup.
Dunbar- Last season was a disappointing season for the Wolverines. After struggling immensely in City League play, the Wolverines missed out on the OHSAA tournament due to sanctions from an incident two years ago. D’Angelo Champion is one of the top returning guys and should be the top guy to watch. Junior Deshaun Huffman is a 6’8 interior threat that could also be a key contributor. We don’t expect the Wolverines to be jumping into the top 3 this season and should be considered to be rebuilding still.
Eaton- Eaton struggled last season, finishing 6-17 and last in the SWBL. Fortunately however, the top 3 scorers from last season are back. Senior Hunter Frost will provide support in the interior while junior Travis Pittman will give Eaton a spark on the perimeter. The Eagles had no one average more than 10 points per game last season and averaged less than 50 points for the season. Low scoring games can get a team through the SWBL, but once Division II sectional play begins, it will be difficult to advance scoring less than 50 points. With plenty of experience returning across the SWBL, Eaton will need to find several go-to players to keep them in the hunt in the SWBL.
Fenwick- Long-time coach Pat Kreke was let go after the Falcons’ 16-9 finish last year. Coach Kelven Moss takes over and will have his hands full in his first season at the helm. 4 of the top 5 scorers are gone from last season, including double-double machine C.J. Napier. Fortunately, Coach Moss has another double-double player in junior A.J. Braun. The 6’8 center averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds for the Falcons last season and should only improve his numbers this year. Seniors Dan Luers and Jordan Rucker are back, but both averaged less than 3 points per game last year. Braun could compete for All-GCL honors, but Fenwick may struggle early on as they try and find a backcourt combination that can feed Braun the ball, but also defend the many talented guards in the GCL North this year.
Graham- Last season was an impressive season for the Falcons. At one point sitting at 9-4, they finished the season 4-6 and lost a close game against Northridge in the sectional opener. For 2019-20, 4 of the top 7 players are gone from last season. Leading scorer Brady King returns for his junior year as does senior Kevin Miller. Miller gives Graham a great rebounder while King can score at a high level. With these two back, Graham will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the conference. As long as they can find additional help on the offensive end, there is no reason why this team can’t compete for a CBC title.
Greenville- The Green Wave struggled mightily last season, going 0-23 and losing all but one game by double figures. Coach Kyle Joseph loses one starter from an experienced group that will try to rebound from their disappointing prior season. Seniors Tyler Beyke, Foster Cole, and Alec Fletcher are back, as is Marcus Wood. Greenville will need to vastly improve on all facets of the game if they are going to compete in the MVL.
Hughes- The Big Red were one of the best teams in the CMAC, but they still lost in the Sectionals to a talented Taft team. Now 3 of the top 5 guys are gone and put Hughes in a difficult situation. Cam McKenzie and Kinote Thomas are the leading guys back and will have larger roles now that last season’s leading scorer Paul McMillan is now with Woodward. Rebounding will be the biggest issue for this team, but the athleticism on roster will still allow the Big Red to make a deep run in the Districts.
Indian Hill- 3 starters are gone from last year’s 15-9 team that finished 4th in the CHL. The returning starters were 2 of the top 3 scores on the team. Juniors Tre Lopez and Wyatt Wachs are back and are the most experienced scorers in 2019-20. The Braves were one of the better defensive teams back a year ago as they allowed less than 50 points per game. With teams like Deer Park and Wyoming having so many offensive weapons back, Indian Hill will need to depend on their defense if they are going to improve in the league and move up the ranks in the CHL.
Kenton Ridge- 3 of the top 4 scorers are back for a Cougars team that finished 14-9 before being bounced by Northridge in the sectionals. Senior Tyler Eberhart is the top guy back and was one of the best players in the CBC a year ago. With only 4 seniors gone from last season the Cougars have enough back to compete near the top of the conference. Keep an eye on Collin Perkins and Calvin Dibert as well throughout the year. Athleticism beyond Eberhart will be a concern as the Cougars try to catch up with London and Jonathan Alder for the top spot in the Kenton Division.
McNicholas- A guard oriented Rockets team loses only 4 seniors from a team that finished 15-9 and tied for 2nd in the GCL Central. Evan Brunot is the top returning player and has potential to be Player of the Year in the GCL this year. Accompanying him are fellow guards Brendan Schoening and Larry Kocisko, although neither scored more than 5 points per game last year. The Rockets were one of the best defensive teams, holding opponents to 46 points per game last year. As long as the depth isn’t an issue and Brunot can become an even more aggressive scorer, McNicholas could be an early favorite to win in the GCL.
Monroe- Coach Kenny Molz leaves the Hornets after 12-11 season which ended against Fenwick in the sectionals. Although Monroe will be playing with a new head coach, they still have plenty of talent coming back to compete in the SWBL. Only 1 starter is gone from last season’s team and the top 2 scorers are back. Juniors Will DeBord and Collin Deaton will be the leaders for this team. 6’5 senior Bobby Borneman is back and will be a force on the glass as the team’s leading rebounder. Although there will be concerns with a new coach, I also am concerned with the scoring as Monroe scored 47 points per game a year ago. With many guys returning I expect the Hornets to compete with Franklin for the Southwestern Division title and could be a team to watch out of the Division II sectionals.
New Richmond- The Lions finished 15-9 last season, but struggled in the SBAAC going 4-6 overall. 4 starters are gone from a team that played well on the defensive end leading the conference in creating turnovers. Sophomore Justin Ackerman had a solid rookie campaign and looks to be a promising prospect for New Richmond in 2019. The 6’4 forward will be a name to watch for the future. Shooting was another aspect of their game that was nice, but there are questions with the departing talent if the guard play coming back can be up to par. If the Lions can find experienced guards to help them out, they could sneak into the top half of the conference.
Northridge- Last season’s Cinderella team, Northridge found themselves in the Regional Finals before ultimately falling to Trotwood-Madison 92-44 with a trip to Columbus on the line. Hero Twon Hines is gone as well as 2 additional starters from their 19-8 squad. Senior Darryl Story is the top returning scorer and will be looked upon as the go-to guy offensively for the Polar Bears. Story will have help in the post with 6’6 junior Cameron Currington coming back as well. A raw forward, Currington will be tough to guard for many SWBL teams and with continued coaching and improvement could be an all-SWBL player come next season. The big area of concern for this year’s team will be where the additional scoring will come from. Last season they had Twon Hines to score the ball in tight situations. This season I would not expect another Regional Final push, but this team could see themselves challenging in the SWBL Buckeye with Madison and could get to the District Final again out of the Springfield District.
Northwestern- The Indians lose 6 of their top 8 from a 9-11 team that was inconsistent most of the year. Korbin Spencer is the top returning player and brings his 8 points and 6 rebounds average back for Northwestern. Inexperience will be an issue to watch as the Indians try to compete in a division with Graham and Urbana where a ton of talent is back.
Norwood- Last year was a season Norwood fans would like to forget as they finished 3-20 and were winless against non-MVC opponents. To make matters worse, 4 of the top 7 guys from last year are gone . Of the returning players, Kevin English is the name worth watching. Last season’s leading scorer, English was the only player to average double figures and was 2nd in rebounding. Senior Chris Anderson will have to improve vastly as he steps into a bigger role in 2019. Norwood will need to improve on the offensive end, especially their 3PT shooting as they shot 26% from behind the arc. In addition, scoring overall was a challenge as they averaged 43 points per game. With so many quality defensive teams in the conference, someone will need to step up and provide support for English is they are to climb out of the basement in the MVC.
Oakwood- Coach Paul Stone’s squad finished 11-12 last season, falling to Badin 65-55 in the sectionals. 4 seniors graduate for the Lumberjacks, but they still return some experience from a year ago. Senior Darren Rubin has Player of the Year potential written all over him. A gifted scorer, Rubin has the potential to drop 20+ any night and demands respect from opposing defenses. He will be the primary scorer for the Jacks. Also returning is senior guard Daniel Hu and junior forward Jack Pleiman. Last season’s team was back and forth. There were games the Jacks won which were quite impressive, while they also had games they lost were quite questionable. Nonetheless, with Rubin back, Oakwood will be a tough matchup in 2019-20.
Ponitz- After watching arguably the top 2 players from last season’s squad graduate, Coach Allen Spears will depend on some new names to guide the Panthers through City League play. Senior guards Malik Simmons and Devon Perdue are the top returning backcourt guys and will carry the load of scoring the basketball for Ponitz. In addition, freshman Dayjuan Anderson will be a name to watch as he has already been making an impact on both ends of the floor during summer ball. I have concerns with their ability to defend the post as well as control rebounds, but the athleticism on roster is enough for Ponitz to challenge the higher ups of the City League and should see them finishing near the middle of the league.
Purcell Marian- Last season, the Cavaliers made a deep run all the way to the State Semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Harvest Prep. Purcell unfortunately loses almost all of their scoring output and a ton of experience from a year ago. Senior Jared Baldock is the lone returning contributor from last season as the top 4 scorers have graduated, but without much support, the Cavaliers will struggle as they move up to Division II this season. A lack of an inside play will affect Purcell as coach Scott Kerr looks to find new personnel.
Roger Bacon- Coach Brian Neal will try and forget last season as the Spartans rebound from a 7-17 season, as well as a winless record in the GCL. 2 starters are departed but there is still some talent back that gives Bacon a chance to win at least one game in the GCL this year. Senior Josiah McGee and junior Marjoni Tate are back and were the leading scorers a year ago. While the offense was not overpowering, defensively is where coach Neal will need to see the most improvement. If they can lock down as well as have Tate or McGee become a double digit scorer, Roger Bacon could jump up the ladder in the GCL for 2019.
Ross- Last year’s Rams squad was one of the finest defensive teams in the SOC, allowing 49 points per game and leading the conference in steals. While mostly a guard-oriented team, Ross loses 3 starters from a year ago especially in their backcourt. The top guard back has to be senior Cole Gronas who will be tasked with leading the scoring charge. Junior Max Stepaniak is also back and with sophomore forward Cody Geers will likely be the leading rebounders in 2019. Although a solid team a year ago, Ross must improve on the glass and do a better job of rebounding against conference foes. We think Ross should pass over Mount Healthy in the SOC.
Shawnee- The Braves struggled down the stretch last season, finishing 3-5 in February 2019. Leading scorer Isaac Siemon is back along with junior Drew Mitch and sophomore Patrick Fultz from a team that finished 11-12 last season. One of the biggest concerns will be scoring as the Braves finished at the bottom in team scoring output with 44 points per game last year. If Siemon and Mitch can add to their double digit averages last year, the Braves could pull an upset or two in the Kenton Division. If not, it will be a struggle to compete with the likes of Alder, London, and Kenton Ridge.
Shroder- Only 2 starters are gone from the Jaguars as they try to rebound from a 5-16 finish a year ago. Rebounding is a strong point as they return their top rebounding threat junior Anthony Felder and senior Kyle Cardenas. Felder has the potential to be a double-double threat every night. Cardenas although listed as a forward, has shown he can score inside and out. The talent in the CMAC Red is impressive and will require consistent quality play to overpower some of the higher ups in the conference.
Taylor- Last year was a struggle for Taylor as they finished 8-15 and found little success in CHL play. Fortunately, 5 of the top 6 scorers are back from last year and with several juniors as part of the returning talent, Taylor could see some improvement in 2019. G’Marrion Jones and Bennett Wieherer are the top guys back and will be relied on. In order for improvement to happen, we need to see Taylor play better at all aspects of their game. Defense and rebounding especially will need to improve.
Thurgood Marshall- The Cougars have been one of the youngest teams in Dayton for several years now. Coach Shawn McCullough brings back talent that might be young, but has shown they are talented enough and athletic enough to challenge anyone in the Dayton area. Junior Anthony McComb has been one of the toughest matchups for opposing teams to prepare for and offensively can take over a game easily. Sophomore Mekhi Elmore showed he can compliment McComb offensively and the duo can take the Cougars quite far on any given night. Ronald Smith will be another name to watch as is Chanze Amerson after sitting out the second half of the year last season. In addition, the Cougars welcome junior Prophet Johnson who comes over from Northmont and gives them some size. The big question for the Cougars is are they ready to finally take over as the top team in Division II? Talent wise they are ready, but we will see if they are able to de-throne Trotwood-Madison as the top SW team in Division II.
Tippecanoe- The Red Devils struggled last season especially against non-GWOC teams. That being said, coach Adam Toohey returns 8 of his top 10 players from last season, including their top 6 scorers. Senior Nolan Mader and junior Ben Knostman return with their double digit scoring averages along with juniors Zach Fredrick and Jake Rowland. Mader has the potential to be Player of the Year in the MVL with his tremendous offensive skillset. Assuming their chemistry is strong and they can improve on their 7-16 record from last year, we can see Tipp being a top program in Division II.
Trotwood-Madison- The defending Division II state champions will look a little different in 2019-20. 3 starters are gone from Rocky Rockhold’s squad. The cupboard is far from bare however as the Rams return plenty of guys returning that can help keep them competitive. Seniors Sammy Anderson and Carl Blanton are the returning starters and bring the athleticism and experience to keep the Rams playing high quality defense. Carter Mims and Deontay Raglin will go from role guys off the bench to contenders for starting minutes for the Rams as they look to replenish their backcourt. Junior Deuce Blake also will be a player to compete for starting time as he moves in from North Carolina. One area of concern will be if the Rams can find a low post threat that Justin Stephens brought the last 3 years. Without a true big man, Trotwood may struggle on the glass, but they should still be considered one of the top teams in Division II.
Urbana- 6 of the top 7 players from last season’s 12-11 team that fell to Benjamin Logan in the sectionals are back. Seniors Isaiah Fonseca and Grant Hower return and will allow the Hillclimbers to match up well with the likes of Graham and North Union. Urbana will have the experience and depth to be a favorite in the CBC. If Fonseca can play like the departed Reid Taylor, and Hower can become a more aggressive threat on both ends of the floor, Urbana could see themselves making a run out of the Division II Springfield sectional.
Valley View- The Spartans finished 7-16 last season and struggled outside of SWBL play. 2 of the top 3 scorers are back for Valley View, but a total of 8 seniors are departed from last season. Senior Cade Cradlebaugh and junior Troy Coulter are the top returning guys but they only averaged a combined 12 points per game last year. With very little of a supporting cast, the Spartans will likely struggle against some of the more experienced squads in league play.
Waynesville- The Spartans celebrated a 16-8 finish last season and took an exit to a talented Stivers squad in the Sectional round. Unfortunately, this season Waynesville is missing their top 3 scorers which contributed an average of 33 points per game last season. In addition, they move up to D2 come postseason play. Senior Ryan Papanek is the top returning scorer and rebounder, but only averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds last season. Experience will be an early challenge as Waynesville tries to replace their scoring. With several names returning across the SWBL, this season could be more of a rebuilding year for the Spartans as they try to prepare for 2020-21.
Wilmington- The Hurricanes lost their head coach this season but will bring back 5 of their top 10 from a year ago. Leading scorers Cam Coomer and Matt Butcher are back and will be the primary players to go through on the offensive end of the floor. Wilmington struggled outside of the SBAAC, especially against more athletic and up-tempo teams. With 5 of their guys back this season, if they can develop a bench that can provide much needed support, the Hurricanes could see themselves competing in a tough American Division in the SBAAC. Coomer is a game changer in the backcourt and will give them a chance of hanging with anyone in the conference.
Woodward- In order for the Bulldogs to improve off their 3-20 season a year ago, they will need to improve on both ends of the floor. Fortunantly, they lose only 2 starters from their team, however it’s the name they are gaining that brings in the most buzz. Paul McMillan IV tranfers over after spending his freshman year at Hughes. Arguably the top player in the conference, he will help alleviate the loss of leading scorer Dionte McBride and his 27 points per game. Add junior guard Aaron Davis and 6’7 forward Davion Mace and you have a trio capable of challenging in the Red Division. Montel Ware is another name to watch as he transfers in from Western Hills. As long as the supporting cast plays their roles, Woodward should most definitely improve off their 3 wins a year ago, but we are unsure yet if this team can win in the CMAC.
Wyoming- Last season’s Cowboys team looked like a potential Regional team out of Cincinnati. After an undefeated record in the CHL, Wyoming failed to get out of Districts as they lost to Aiken 65-56 instead. Only 2 starters are gone from last season’s team, and the guys coming back are quite talented and gifted athletes. Senior Evan Prater may be the top athlete on the team and brings his athleticism every night. Isaiah Walker is also back in the backcourt and brings his offensive game with Prater. Deante Gray is also back and is the top interior player, especially on the glass. If their big 3 can consistently produce solid numbers every night, we believe Wyoming can get over the edge and reach the Regionals in Division II.
Athens- The Bulldogs capped off a 17-7 season with an 11-1 conference record with their only loss coming to Vinton County in a low scoing battle 45-44. This year however, Athens loses their top 4 scorers, leaving room for new guys to step up. Seniors Isaiah Butcher and Brayden Markins are the top returners but both are post players. One area to watch will be how the Bulldogs fare in the backcourt with so much talent gone from there. This season could be a little more rough if their guards can step up into larger roles and if Butcher/Markins play next level basketball as well.
Beaver Local- The Beavers struggled a bit last season, but return virtually everyone from last season’s 7-16 finish. In the backcourt, senior Logan Reed is back along with fellow seniors Luke Chetock and Tate Joseph. 6’4 senior Jaden Kiddey will anchor the paint and will be a guy to watch on the interior. The Beavers will have to do a better job of finishing games out, as they lost 6 of their 16 games by 5 or less points. With experience returning we expect Beaver Local to improve, but unsure how far they can go come tournament time.
Cambridge- The Bobcats knew how to keep games close and low scoring last season, only allowing 50+ points in 9 games last season. A solid group of juniors are back and should step into bigger roles in 2019-20. Keep an eye on 6’3 Sean Perkins as he will likely be the top player back for Cambridge. With a decent amount of talent back, Cambridge could compete for an ECOL title.
Carrollton- The Warriors bring back quite a bit of talent from a team that finished 8-13 but showed signs of being a competitive team near the end of last year. After a 22 point loss against Alliance in January, 5 of their last 6 losses were by 5 points or less, including a 5 point loss againt John Glenn. Carrollton returns a very exciting player in 6’3 senior Adam Chaney who will have quite a supporting cast around him. Also worth watching is senior Brady Berner. The Warriors should be much improved from last year and should see themselves competing the EBC, especially with Alliance losing some of their top talent.
Circleville- The Tigers struggled in MSL play, only winning 2 games during the season. Circleville loses 4 seniors but several were key role players last season. Leading scorer Riley Gibson is back and will be heavily leaned on for offensive support yet again. Without much more scoring power however, it will be difficult for Circleville to challenge.
Claymont- All eyes will be on sophomore Cade Watkins as the Mustangs prepare for the upcoming season. After winning only 6 games a year ago, Claymont will try and improve in the Inter-Valley League which was home to the Division IV State Runner-up Berlin HIland. In order to improve, the Mustangs will need additional support around Watkins and will need to do a better job competing in league play. With teams like Garaway and HIland in the league, consistency is key
East Liverpool- Last season’s Potters squad was one of the better teams in the Buckeye 8 a year ago. Fast forward to 2019-20 and East Liverpool looks a little different. Gone is Gabriel Roach along with 7 other seniors from last season’s squad. Coming back to run the point will be senior Tre Jackson. He will have big shoes to help fill left by Roach. Fortunantly, the Potters also have frontcourt weapons led by senior Brennan O’Hara. With the amount of talent departing, don’t expect East Liverpool to be as dominant of a team this season, but still a team worth watching.
Fairfield Union- The Falcons didn’t have much of a bench a year ago, only using 6 guys for most of the season. 4 of these guys return and give Fairfield Union a decent chance of competing in the MSL Buckeye. Senior Huston Harrah is the top returning scorer and is part of a team that played well in losses against Beechcroft and St. Charles and in a win against Sheridan. With the size they have back we expect the Falcons to contend for a divisional title.
Gallia Academy- Even after losing 7’0 junior Zach Loveday last season, the Blue Devils still found a way to compete and finish with a 15-9 record last year. Unfortunately, not only is Loveday gone, but so are 4 of the top 5 players that stayed last season. The Devils will look to 2 seniors to help keep them afloat. 6’1 Logan Blouir is the top returning scorer and will have to step up in a big way. In the frontcourt, Ben Cox is the guy to watch, but is a whole foot smaller than Loveday. There is no doubt if Loveday was still here, the Devils could arguably be one of the best teams in the OVC. However, the group they have will have to reload and prepare for another run.
Hillsboro- 5 seniors are gone from last season’s team, but a plethora of juniors back should allow the Indians to still be a solid team. That being said though, the talent back may not be enough to overpower the talent coming back throughout the FAC. Lawton Perry appears to be the best player coming back and will be the focal point of Hillsboro’s offense. The question will be can the returning juniors step up in support roles and help Perry on the offensive end? Expect another down year as Hillsboro allows their juniors to gain experience and be tougher in 2 years.
Indian Creek- The Redskins may have finished 9-14 for the season, but their record easily could have looked a little different if they had found a way to pull out a few additional victories throughout the season. 3 of their losses were by single digits with 2 being by less than 5 points. A lot of talent is gone from last season, including two of the top scorers from last year. Junior Isaiah Vandine is the top returning guy back and will have large shoes to fill. Unfortunately, I do not forsee these shoes being filled this year and will likely be a down year for the Redskins.
Indian Valley- The Braves were a senior oriented team a year ago, and although they had a winning season, repeating will be difficult with the departure of so many seniors. Almost all of their size from last year is gone and are some key guards. Coming back is junior Grant Tschudy, but with not much experience and little interior presence, we are concerned how far this team can go.
Jackson- The Ironmen lose 5 seniors from last year but have a ton of talent in the underclassmen that should make them a formidable opponent in the FAC the next 1-2 years. It starts with seniors Caden Donaldson and Caleb Willis who will bring the leadership and be tasked with setting the tempo for the Ironmen. Two names worth watching will be sophomores Drew Bragg and Evan Spires. If the youth can mesh well with the upperclassmen returning Jackson could be a dark horse in the FAC and could be a team worth watching come playoff time.
John Glenn- The Muskies celebrated a 15-1 finish in the Muskingum Valley League and were the league champions. 3 starters are gone from the 21 win team but the cupboard is not completely bare. Junior guard Samuel Kumler is back and will run the offense from the point guard slot. Senior Reece Perkins is also back and is a name worth watching. The Muskies didn’t use a high scoring offense to win games, but rather depended on a defense that allowed 38 points per game in league play. Defense should again be variable as to how far this John Glenn team can go.
Logan Elm- The Braves have plenty of their scoring back from a year ago and have lots of talent in their backcourt. Almost all of their guard talent are juniors this year. Led by Isaac Ward and Jason Sailor who combined for almost 25 points per game this season, Logan Elm could be even better next year with another year of experience under their belt. One of the better defensive teams in the MSL, the Braves will need to have guys to go to on their bench if they are going to challenge in the Buckeye division.
Marietta- The Tigers struggled last season, finishing 7-17 and winning only 4 games in ECOL play. Fortuanantly, they have some talent coming back that should help improve off those numbers. Junior guard Tony Munos will be tasked with being the scoring threat on the perimeter. Senior Ryan Mannix will be the frontcourt threat and is part of a very tough frontcourt. Size shouldn’t be an issue as the Tigers have 4 frontcourt players returning that are all 6’2 or taller. Marietta will need to use this size to dominate the glass if they are going to improve in the ECOL in 2019-20.
Maysville- The Panthers showed glimpses of being a tough team, but struggled ultimately in the MVL and took an exit to John Glenn in the tournament, their third time losing to the Muskies last year. This season’s team loses 2 seniors and should be better than their 7-16 record a year ago. Steele Shreve will be the focal point of the offense and is one of many seniors on roster. Junior Kaiden Hall is one of the better non-senior players and will be a frontcourt weapon at 6’1 for the Panthers. Depth and experience shouldn’t be an issue, but will Maysville be able to take care of business in league play?
Greenfield McClain- The Tigers will look a little different in 2019-20. With 9 seniors gone from last year’s 15-8 finish, McClain may struggle to repeat this feat. Of the returning talent, senior Dalton Mischal is the best returning player and is arguably one of the best players in the conference besides Chillicothe’s seniors. Senior Garrison Banks and sophomore Bryson Badgley will run the offense from the backcourt, but depth is going to be an issue, especially in the frontcourt. This team was one of the best offensive teams last season and will need to find additional scoring options besides Mischal if they are going to compete.
Meadowbrook- The Colts were one of the best teams in the ECOL last season finishing 3rd in the league. Although they lose 2 All-District players from their runner-up team, they have a solid group of seniors coming back that make the Colts a favorite early on in the ECOL for 2019-20. Johnathan McCall and Addy Black will be the key names to watch. The Colts return to Division II in 2019, where they look to repeat their success in 2018 when they reached the State Semifinals. With depth and size, Meadowbrook looks to be the top team in the league come 2019-20.
Miami Trace- 2019-20 will be all about improving for the Panthers as they look to rebound from a 3-20 season last year. Forunantly, the top two scorers from a year go are back and with experience under their belt as they prepare for next year. Senior Austin Mathews and junior Cameron Moore are the top guys back and will have the majority of the scoring responisibilites on their shoulders. Expect another struggling season as the Panthers will not do great against some of the tough compeititon in the FAC.
Minerva- The Lions slumped to a 7-17 finish in 2018-19 and you can expect similar results this year. Losing quite a bit of talent, Minerva returns a healthy balance in both the frontcourt and backcourt, but there is not enough depth for the Lions to make a run in the EBC this year. Senior forward Mitchell Greer will be the guy that Minerva fans watch as he will be the top frontcourt threat. Junior Noah Sallade is also back and will anchor the perimeter. Last year was an up-and-down year for Minerva as they won some games against quality competition and also lost some games they should have won. Their success will depend on how they start the year and if Greer and Sallade have some support.
New Lexington- Last season was a struggle to say the least for New Lex. This is to be expected however as they were one of the youngest teams in the Muskingum Valley League last season. 2019 looks more promising with many pieces back across the board. Senior Chase Duperow will be the leadership figure for the Panthers as many of their top guys are non-seniors. 6’5 junior Braden Agriesti is a post threat and brings size and is accompanied by 6’2 sophomore Hunter Kellogg. Although still a relatively young team, we expect New Lexington to improve and be more competitive, but still not ready to take the MVL just yet.
New Philadelphia- 7 seniors are gone for the Quakers and their 18-4 regular season finish a year ago, including 3 All-District players. While most of the departing talent are guards, senior Jent Joseph is back and will be tasked with anchoring the offense. A name worth watching will be 6’5 junior Mitchell Stokey who could be a tough guy to defend on the glass for the Quakers. Defense is an area where the Quakers excelled a year ago, allowing 50+ points in only 6 games. If they can defend the ball and give up those type of numbers again, we could see New Philadelphia competing in the ECOL yet again.
Philo- The Electrics finished in the middle of the pack in the MVL last season, but the future and this season is bright. 6 seniors are back and led by Jackson Hargraves however it’s one of the non-seniors that will be the guy to watch. 6’7 sophomore A.J. Clayton is bound to have a breakout year and could compete for Player of the Year honors. With mostly guards around him, Clayton could be the primary scorer not just in the interior but overall as well. This year could be a struggle at first, but there is without a doubt a real chance for Philo to be a top 3 team this season if the supporting cast around Clayton can play up to par.
River Valley – The Raiders will want to forget last year’s 3-20 season where River Valley failed to win a single game in TVC play. Junior Jordan Lambert returns but this season is not going to be an easy turnaround. Struggles will be early on as they allowed 60 points per game a year ago. Defense has to improve and a secondary scorer will need to emerge to help Lambert.
River View- Last season is a year The Black Bears would like to forget after going winless in the ECOL. Offense was not a strong point last season as River View scored 50+ points in only 5 games last year. Fortunantly, two juniors will be leaned on most and should see improved roles. Zac Balo and Cal Shrimplin will be leaned on heavily but unless the Bears can find additional scoring and defensive options, 2019-20 will be another down year.
Sheridan- The Generals were the real deal last year. For starters they were the only team in the MVL to defeat league champ John Glenn, and they advanced to the State Semifinals in Division II before falling to Columbus South. This team was the best offensive team in the MVL, scoring 65 points per game last season, but they lose 7 seniors from that team. Looking at who is back though is a relief for Generals fans. 6’5 senior Luken Hill will be the anchor to this team and will have to play at a high level. Another guy to watch is junior Ethan Malone. At the end of the day, if Sheridan can find additional support besides Hill and Malone, I think the MVL title can be within their grasp.
St. Clairsville- The Red Devils will be missing 4 All-District players that graduated from their 15-9 team last season. Much of the departing talent was in the backcourt, but lucky for St. Clairsville, they have two quality seniors to lean on for this season. Guards Nate Harris and Brett Vike will be tasked with leading an offense that was quite a fun offense to watch. The Red Devils scored 70+ points in all but 8 games last season. If they can continue their offensive dominance as well as find ways to defend some of the high quality talent coming back in the Buckeye 8, I expect St. Clairsville to be in the top half of the division come end of the season.
Steubenville- Not enough info
Tri-Valley- The Scotties didn’t have a bad year last year, finishing 15-8 and going 13-3 in the Muskingum Valley League. Only 3 seniors are gone from last season and a solid core of seniors this year are back and give Tri-Valley a reason to be excited. Seniors Keaton Williams and Jack Lyall are two of the better players coming back, and should be relied on. The Muskies play a lot of Division I Columbus based teams outside MVL play which is why they only won twice outside the league. With the experience back that has competed with those squads, Tri-Valley could be a dark horse to compete for a league title this year. A move to Division II now should only improve their chances to be a team to watch.
Unioto- The Shermans were up-and-down most of the season, never really getting a deep winning streak. A deep junior class will likely make Unioto a team worth watching for the next 1-2 seasons. The majority of the talent and returning players are on the perimeter and wings while their post presence are gone. Wings Cameron DeBord and Cade McKee bring size on the wings and will contribute on both ends of the floor. Isaac Little was last season’s leading scorer and comes back to run the offense this year. The next 1-2 years could be special for the SHermans if they can pull it all together and take care of business in the SVC.
Vinton County- The Vikings finished 12-11 last season and 8-4 in TVC play, but there are a few games in non-conference play that VC would like to have back. Several seniors are gone from that team, but the backcourt is solid in seniors Gavin Arbaugh and William Arthur. Arbaugh was the leading scorer last season and will be relied on again for scoring output. We think Vinton County will be a tough team in the TVC as always, but they have to get some consistency and win some of these non-conference games to prepare them for the tournament.
Vincent Warren- Not enough info
Washington Court House- Last season’s Blue Lions were the only FAC team to defeat Chillicothe during the season. This year will likely be tough to replicate. While the Cavs return their top 3 scorers, Washington Court House loses their top 5 scorers from last year. Senior Griffin Leisure is back but with the majority of the scoring output gone, it makes us wonder how competitive the Lions can be in FAC play. Inexperience will be an issue in conference play and Washington Court House could struggle most of the year.
Waverly- While Waverly was quite an impressive team last year going 11-3 in SOC play, they lose quite a bit of talent from that group. Gone are 4 of the top 5 scorers. 6’6 senior Tanner Smallwood is back and will be the primary interior threat and rebounding option for Waverly. The backcourt is young but very good in sophomores Trey Robertson and Will Futhey. Robertson was 2nd on the team in scoring a year ago and should mold well with Futhey. Waverly does have some youth on their roster, but we believe they are a year away from being a deep postseason team.
West Holmes- The Knights will want to forget last year’s 1 win season and winless conference finish. Interior play will be a strong point for Holmes however with the return of 6’3 junior Peyton McKinney and 6’6 senior Jacob Goudy. While the Knights are nowhere near ready to compete in the OCC, the two returning frontcourt guys will eb great leaders for a young team looking to still grow and develop.
Zanesville- Blue Devils fans would like to forget last season’s 7-15 year that saw Zanesville struggle throughout the season. Coming back are several players that give Zanesville hope for 2019-20 that it can get better. Senior Cory Norris will be a name to watch in the ECOL and will be accompanied by junior Greg Gibson who will help carry the offense for the Blue Devils. Expect a different mindset for Zanesville as they try and rebound this year, but we do not expect a ECOL title without additional support to help Norris and Gibson.
Akron East- The Dragons lose 3 seniors from a team that finished above .500 last season and returns enough talent to stay relevant. The senior backcourt of Deshawn Jones and Marlon Lee will be relied on heavily as will 6’4 Billie Johnson. The Dragons couldn’t seem to get past Buchtel last season losing 3 times during the season. If they can find a way to get past the Griffins they could be more of a contender in the Akron City Series.
Akron Springfield- Not enough info
Ashtabula Edgewood- The Warriors finished with a 24-2 season last season and went undefeated in AAC Blue play. The problem however is almost all of their scoring output from last season is gone from the Warriors Regional Semifinalist team. Of the few returning players, junior Kenny Kamppi will be the guy to watch as Edgewood looks to rebound with new faces. Expect a down year as the Warriors reload their roster and look for new guys to step up and replace the 4 double digit scorers from a year ago. The Warriors will look to replicate this success while playing in Division II this year.
Aurora- The Greenmen weren’t the deepest team at times last season, but they return their top 2 scorers from a group that finished 10-12 a year ago. Senior Ethan Hays is the primary scoring threat after leading the team a year ago as a 2-guard. He will be joined by secondary scoring option Gabe Elsawy who returns to run the point. Aurora does not return a lot of guys with varsity experience and will struggle early on to hang with some of the other teams in the Suburban League, especially If they are unable to find additional talent to support Hays and Elsawy.
Bay Village Bay- The Rockets completed quite a nice finish last year before falling to Cleveland Central Catholic in the tournament. The problem Bay now faces is replacing their top 5 scorers, including 4 All-District Performers. With the amount of talent gone, one would think another 8-4 finish in the Great Lakes Conference is impossible. Fortunantly, they return some upperclassmen in seniors Jake Martin and Cooper Lyons and junior Ashton Price to provide so experience. While replacing the scoring will be tough, the bigger challenge will be getting past Holy Name in conference play, as the Rockets lost both regular season games by 22 points combined.
Brimfield Field- The Falcons return 3 of their top 4 guys from a year ago and will look to improve from their 5 win season. Senior Jacob Lupardus leads the charge this season and will be the head guy to run the offense.
Brookside- A guard oriented team, the Cardinals lose their few interior threats and will instead focus on an experienced backcourt for their offensive needs. 5’10 senior Tyler Horvath is the top player back and has the pressure of being the offensive go-to as the Cardinals lose their top scoring threat from a year ago. Offensive consistency is going to be the biggest issue.
Buchtel- The Griffins ended their season in the State Semifinals falling to Trotwood-Madison after getting through a brutal NE Regional tournament. Sophomore Chris Livingston is one of the best players in the 2022 class and arguably one of the best players in the country as well. After a phenomenal freshman year, he is back and has plenty of talent around him. Senior Addison Singletary is also back and will provide the senior leadership as the Griffins lose only 3 seniors from last season. There is a lot of talent back at Buchtel and with SVSM back in Division II, getting back to Columbus will be quite more challenging.
Canal Fulton Northwest- The Indians are losing 2 All-Conference performers from a season ago, but return enough talent to stay competitive. Senior point guard Kyle Luhring is back and will be a leader in the backcourt. Also returning is 6’2 forward Nick Leeders who is the tallest returning player from a year ago. The Indians return quite a bit of personnel, especially in the senior class, but will they be able to replace their departed scoring.
Canfield- The Cardinals will be without 3 All-Conference performers from a year ago and lose a lot of scoring output from last year. When looking at the returning guys, seniors Joe Bruno and Brent Herrmann will be the leaders on both ends of the floor. Bruno, the top returning scorer and Herrmann, the top returning rebounder will give Canfield a nice group in the paint area. Our concern will be who replaces the departed guard play and scoring voids left. This season won’t be a deep postseason run season, but Canfield might be able to upset a few teams if they can control the glass and find those replacement guys.
Canton South- The Wildcats finished sub .500 during last season, but this year could be a repeat unfortunately. 3 All-League performers are gone including 7 seniors spread in both the frontcourt and backcourt. Of the returning talent, 6’3 junior forward Luke Hattery is the guy to watch. With so much depth gone across the board, we expect a down year for the Wildcats who will be hovering near the bottom of the EBC.
Chagrin Falls- The Tigers finished at .500 for the year, but lose 2 All-District players from their squad a year ago. Junior Josh Norton is the top guy back and the 6’1 guard will be the leader in the backcourt for the Tigers. While Chagrin Falls struggled near the end of the year last year, they return a nice assortment of talent in their backcourt and size that will make them a team worth watching. We expect this team to be competitive, but they will need another guy or two to step up on the offensive end if they are going to challenge in the CVC.
Chaney- Not enough info
Chardon- The Hilltoppers will depend on some non-seniors for strong play as they try and chase Brush in the WRL. Sophomore Nathanael Sulka is the top guy and will be accompanied by junior Brady Toth.
Clearview- Not enough info
Cleveland Central Catholic- The Ironmen showed they could compete with almost anybody last year, pulling out victories against some of Northeast Ohio’s top D1 and D2 teams. Now, Central Catholic has a very strong senior class that is ready to challenge and make a trip back to Columbus. The backcourt will be led by Tevin Jackson and Jaden Williams who will both run the point guard position. Arthur Fayne is the top scoring threat back from last season and will be accompanied by a 6’8 forward in Deshaun Nettles as the primary scoring options. The Ironmen have the returning talent but will need to finish out games in the gauntlet that is Northeast Ohio in Division II.
Cleveland East Tech- The Scarabs played an impressive schedule last season and was the Senate League champions and capped off a 19-3 season. Unfortunately, 5 of the top 7 players from that team are gone as the Scarabs look to reload and repeat. Senior Ronald Jenkins returns at the point and will be the focal point of the offense. Keep an eye on junior Marcos Vazquez as he likely will be next man up for East Tech as well. Repeating is going to be tough to do, but this Scarabs team has potential to continue to be a competitive team, especially moving to Division II.
Cleveland School of Science and Medicine- The Hornets will look to rebound after a struggling year last season in which they won 1 game in league play.
Cloverleaf- The Colts are bringing back much of their talent from a solid team last year. Seniors Brycen Holliday and Sylar Jones will be the focal points for this roster. The talent coming back will definitely help the Colts, as they have plenty of depth and experience.
Copley- The Indians were the 2nd best team in the Suburban League a year ago, but repeating will be quite difficult as they lose quite a bit of talent, including 3 All-District players from a 17 win regular season team. The only team to beat league champ Revere during the regular season, Copley doesn’t have as much athleticism as they did last year to compete with some of the higher level teams in the league this season. A move up to Division II should allow them to stay competitive.
Coventry- Not enough info
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy- The Royals were the best team in the Principals Athletic Conference finishing with 13-9 record. The top 3 scoring options from last year are all back and all seniors. Brett Carroscia, Trey Williams, and Austen Williams are all going to be focal points for CVCA on the offensive end. This team played in lower scoring games and excelled in slower paced games. If they find some depth, this could be a competitive team in Division II.
East Cleveland Shaw- The Cardinals already struggled in the Lake Erie League going winless in league play, but now they will have to try and improve while losing 6 of their top 7 scorers from last season. Junior Randy Harris is back and will have all of the pressure on him to be the scoring threat for the Cardinals. There is too much talent returning across the board in the league and with Shaw returning so little, it is hard for me to see them finishing higher than last again.
Fairless- The Falcons lose one of their top performers from last season, but don’t lose all of their talent. Senior Lucas Ruegg is back and is now the focal point for Fairless as they look to rebound from a 4-8 finish in the PAC. Similar to conference rival CVCA, the Falcons score in the 50s and thus will slow the pace down in games. If they can find a way to continue to keep games low scoring, they could surprise some people come tournament time.
Firelands- The Falcons lose 2 of their top 3 guys from the year prior and will try and improve from their 6 wins the year prior. Senior Jacob Schmitz will have a chance to have a special season as he takes over the program’s top player rank. We don’t see Firelands contending in the PAC this year.
Gates Mills Hawken- Hawken returns their star junior Eli Buchanan
Geneva- The Eagles finished 16-9 last season and were in the middle of the CVC. 4 seniors are departed for Geneva as they look to repeat this feat again. 6’1 senior Brandon Smith is back and will be the focal point for Geneva. Of the returning talent, much of the roster is guard oriented. With some of these teams in the CVC having some size, we question how the Eagles will do defending the paint and rebounding.
Gilmour Academy- The Lancers have a nice group of players returning after a 17-5 finish last year. Senior guards Connor O’Toole and Ian Miller are back and are the top scoring threats for a team returning a healthy balance of post players and perimeter players. Expect another solid season if they can advance out of the Districts.
Girard- The Indians lose 8 total seniors and 2 All-District performers from a team that finished 13-10 on the year. Senior Christian Graziao is the top guy back and will take over the scoring responsibilities starting this year. With so much talent gone, Girard may need a season to reload the roster before coming back in contention.
Glenville- The Tarblooders lose 2 of their top 3 players from a team that finished runner-up in the Senate League and handed East Tech their only loss of the season in league play. Their top player back is Bryon Ottrix Jr. who should have a breakout junior year for Glenville. With weapons graduating in the post and on the perimeter, repeating a 2nd place finish is going to be tough.
Holy Name- The Green Wave return their top scorer from last season, but lose their next 3 best scorers from an 18-6 team last year. Quentin Richardson is a name worth watching for the future and will compete for Player of the Year honors in the GLC. This Green Wave team was able to defeat teams like Glenville, Gilmour Academy, Bay (twice during the regular season) and also had single digit losses against Mentor Lake Catholic and Elyria Catholic. For Holy Name to continue their success, they will need to keep their tempo up as they averaged 77 points per game last season. Sophomore Jack Kenneally is a guy to keep an eye on.
Howland- The Tigers lose quite a bit of talent from a team that struggled last year in the AAC. 2 of their top 3 scorers from last season have graduated and leave questions about how talented this Howland team can be. Senior Cameron During is the top returning scorer, but scoring won’t be the biggest issue. The Tigers top rebounder from last season has graudated and as a result, no one returns that averaged more than 3 rebounds a game last year. With a few teams in the AAC Red Division having some size, this could be an issue early on if Howland cannot protect the paint and rebound the ball at a high level.
Hubbard- The Eagles don’t lose a ton of guys from last year, but they will very quickly want to forget about the 2-21 season they finished with, with the only wins coming against Jefferson Area. Plenty of seniors are back including point guard Cam Resatar, but will Hubbard be able to get over the hump and find ways to compete with the rest of the NE8 Conference?
Keystone- About half of the Wildcats roster from last season is gone from a team that showed glimpses of being one of the better teasm in the PAC. 6’1 senior Ethan Sokolowski is back and will run the offense for Keystone. The Wildcats are going to try and compete for a PAC title in 2019.
Lakeview- Nobody got hit harder with graduation than the Bulldogs as they lose 6 seniors, including 3 All-District performers from a 19-5 team last season. One of the best defensive units a year ago, Lakeview allowed 49 points per game last season and will depend on senior Dylan Sarko who is the only senior on the roster from last year. Defense will be the biggest key and with a lot of teams losing their talent, Lakeview could still find themselves competing in the NE8 this season.
Louisville- The Leopards finished 13-8 a year ago but lose 3 All-District performers from that team. Defense was what allowed the Leopards to stay competitive as they allowed 48 points per game last season and only allowed 70+ 2 times. A guard-oriented team, Louisville will depend on their many seniors returning to keep them competitive and allow for a chance to repeat their success in 2019-20.
Lutheran East- After finishing as Division III Runner-Ups last year, the Lue returns almost everybody from this team as they move up to Division II this Winter. Wherever you look, this team is electric. Inside is Nehemiah Benson and Jalin Billingsley who provide size and strength on the glass. While they lose EJ Farmer to Cleveland Heights, the Falcons bring back some quality guards in senior Davyon Adams and juniors Collin Albert and Sir Hughes. There isn’t many teams in the Lake Erie League that can play at their level and frankly, this is a team that has potential to make a postseason run in Division II this year.
Lutheran West- Not enough info
Marlington- The Dukes were the runner-ups in the EBC last season, but have the personnel to be a contender in the conference this year. After a rough start to the year, Marlington won 8 of their last 10 before getting blown out by Buchtel 71-45. In the senior class, you have Andrew Pucci and Cameron Bennett coming back along with sophomore Connor Evanich. With some size returning as well, this Marlington team is likely the favorite to come out of the EBC and should be watched if they can keep Carrollton at bay.
Medina Buckeye- The top 3 guys from last season are gone and leave some voids for the Bucks in 2019. A solid group of seniors coming back will give Buckeye some veteran options, but the defense will need to continue to be elite if they are going to compete in the PAC.
Mentor Lake Catholic- The good news for Cougars fans is the top 2 players from last season are back and both are Division I NCAA prospects. The bad news is #3-6 on the scoring list have graduated leaving little scoring returning besides the Cougars’ top guys. Luke Frazier will run the point this season and is going to be one of the better scoring guards in the state. Interior threat Luka Eller gives Frazier an inside weapon when he is having an off game. My biggest concern will be what happens when an opposing team takes Eller and Frazier out of a game. With no secondary scoring, it will be very difficult for Lake Catholic to advance far.
Niles McKinley- The Red Dragons were playing some of their best basketball late last season, winning 5 of their last 7 before falling to Poland Seminary 74-47 to end the year. Like most teams in the NE8, they lose quite a bit of talent, including 2 All-District players. The Red Dragons will have 4 seniors on roster this upcoming season and will try to keep up in the race in the NE8.
Norton- Not enough info
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin- The Lions are returning a lot of their guys from last season’s 6-16 team, including leading scorer junior Donny Gatto. While a stronger senior and junior class will be helpful, this is a team that was not able to keep up at the same pace with the higher level teams in the North Coast League. Even with guys back, this should still be another down year for the Lions.
Pepper Pike Orange- The Lions return a plethora of talent in their 2020 class from a team that struggled last season and only won 6 games. The backcourt will have several players worth watching in Nick Walters, Scott Minor, and Harrison Pyner. In addition, Myles King is back and will be the Lions interior threat. With the talent returning, we expect the Lions to improve off of their 6 wins last year. However, they will still attempt to keep up with the likes of Harvey, Perry, and West Geauga.
Perry- The Pirates finished with an 11-3 record in the CVC and tied Harvey for a conference title. Although repeating will be difficult, there is some serious talent returning that should allow Perry to be a top tier team yet again. 6’4 senior Nate Cubbison is the top guy back and should compete for All-Conference honors. Senior guard Drew Schiano is also back and along with junior Jaylen Anderson will run the offense. The Pirates lost 2 All-Conference players, including 2 of their 3 post players from last season.
Poland Seminary- The Bulldogs were undefeated at the turn of the new year before finally suffering a defeat to Buchtel 60-51. 2 All-District performers have graduated and leave a Seminary team hungry to defend their NE8 title. Senior guard Michael Cougras will lead the charge and lead a guard heavy team this season.
Ravenna- Not enough info
Revere- The Minutemen lose 2 All-District players from a year ago, but bring back 4 of their top 7 guys including leading scorer and interior threat Hunter Drenth. At 6’8, Drenth will be the biggest guy on the floor but will not be the only contributor to watch. Juniors Jimmy Salamone and Andrew Rinn provide outside scoring threats as will senior Grant Scherler. With the majority of the role guys and scoring threats being upperclassmen, Revere appears on paper to be the team to beat in the Suburban League yet again and could be a team to watch in the Division II Northeast District tournament.
Rocky River- The Pirates finished at .500 in the Great Lakes Conference a year ago, but this was a team that defeated Elyria Catholic and Holy Name during the regular season. While they lose 3 of their top 5 scorers from last season, the Pirates do bring back a nice backcourt duo in Christian Dean and Tommy Ruma who are both seniors this season. Rebounding and rim protection are the biggest issues as the Pirates lose 2 of their best frontcourt threats. If they can find consistency and find a way to get past Bay, who defeated them 3 times last season, Rocky River could be a team to watch.
Salem- The Quakers finished last in the EBC with a 3-9 record, but were okay against out of conference competition. Losing 2 All-Conference players is not easy to replace, but there is hope with a nice group of seniors coming back. A guard-oriented team this upcoming season, Salem will be led by Niko Walter who will likely be their best player this season. With some size mixed in as well, the big thing will be whether the Quakers can find consistency in their returning talent.
St. Martin de Porres- The Lions struggled down the stretch last season, finishing 2-5 and as a result an 11-10 finish on the year. They will look to repeat this feat in 2019-20 and most importantly, find ways to stay compeititve in non-conference play.
St. Vincent-St. Mary- The bad news is Seth Wilson transferred out to Lorain and the Irish also lost 2 additional All-District performers. The good news is after finishing Runner-Up in Division I last season, the Irish are now in Division II and they bring in Sincere Harris from North Canton Hoover to replace Wilson. Also returning is 6’5 Malaki Branham for this team. While they won’t be as deep as last year’s team , St. V will still have a chance to be a competitior in Division II and could get to the Regionals with their combo of Harris and Branham.
Streetsboro- Not enough info
Struthers- The Wildcats are bound to have a breakout season as they only lose 2 guys from last year’s 10-13 team. Senior Carson Ryan is a playmaker and at 6’5 is one of the biggest guys in the conference. If they can do a better job of defending, this could be the year they take back the NE8.
Tallmadge- The Blue Devils graduate most of their roster from a an 8-12 season and sub .500 finish in the Suburban League. While leading scorer Brandon Heigelmann is back, there is not enough supporting cast returning for us to see this team being much of a threat. At 6’4, Heigelmann will need to be a contributor on both ends of the floor for Tallmadge to compete.
Triway- The Titans have a deep junior class this year and are going to have plenty of guys to use throughout the year. Their strength will be in the backcourt as they lean on seniors Chance Wells and Bryce Biggs. If these two can be leaders on both ends of the floor, we expect Triway to be a competitor in the PAC.
Ursuline- The Fighting Irish finished last season 13-12 and although looked like a solid team, dropped a few games they could have had. 2 All-District performers are gone and much of their interior size has graduated. Senior Vince Armeni looks to be the top guy back and will be accompanied in the backcourt by sophomore Jakylan Irving.
Villa Angela-St. Joseph- The Vikings were relatively young a season ago, having a roster of mostly seniors and sophomores. 2019-20 should be another strong season for VASJ as they return a high quality backcourt in the junior class. Jaden Hameed and Jonah Wagg will be a strong 1-2 punch for the Vikings, who we are concerned will have more issues on the glass this season as they lose much of their size in the graduating classes. We expect the Vikings to continue to be one of the top teams in Division II in Northeast Ohio and should be considered a favorite to make a run back to Regionals.
West Branch- The Warriors won 8 of their last 9 games last season and looked like a pretty solid team by the end of the year. They return quite a bit of talent from that team especially in the senior class. Reese Leone, Nick Everett, and Nick Scarpitti are all back and will all be looked upon for leadership and execution on both ends of the floor. If the Warriors are able to take care of business against the higher powered teams in the conference, this could be a special year for West Branch fans.
West Geauga- The Wolverines return one of the better athletes in the CVC in junior Josh Irwin. The 6’7 forward will have an opportunity to be Player of the Year and is part of a strong junior class coming back for the Wolverines. Senior Peyton Bissler will be the senior leader for West Geauga who is likely a year away from being the team to beat in the CVC. They will be a dark horse to watch in Division II.
Woodridge- Not enough info
Youngstown East- Not enough info
Beechcroft- Cougars fans are hoping for a repeat of last season as they look to replicate their 19-6 finish a year ago and CCL North title. It will be quite difficult as they lose 5 of their top 7 from last year. Returning back are sophomore stud Jaylen Simmons and senior Davon Wooden from a team that finished 2nd in the league in scoring a year ago. Experience will be an early issue as the Cougars other returning players appeared in 5 or less games a year ago. I think the returning talent will be good and Beechcroft will be in a good position in the CCL, but defending their title will be quite a tough feat.
Bexley- Almost everyone from last season’s 14-10 season are gone for the Lions. With almost everyone from a year ago graduated, Bexley could find themselves in the bottom of the MSL Ohio division. Guards Damain Davis and Will Cordle will be the focal point of the Lions offense as inexperience will be an issue for Bexley early on.
Bishop Hartley- The Hawks celebrated a District title last season and found success until they fell to Dayton Northridge in the Regional Semifinals. 2019 will be tough to replicate their success as the top 2 scorers are graduated and much of their height is gone as well. Seniors Kylan Kortokrax and Colby Rankin are back but both averaged less than 5 points per game. Most of the scoring came from their graduated seniors and the Hawks will need either guys to increase their scoring output if Hartley is going to compete in the CCL.
Bishop Watterson- 3 of the top 4 players from last season have graduated and will make things difficult for Watterson to repeat their co-league championship from a year ago. Davis Boone is the top returning player and will be leaned on for the Eagles to succeed. With the amount of talent that is departing I expect the Eagles to finish near the bottom half of the CCL in 2019.
Bloom-Carroll- The Bulldogs started the season off 5-5 last year before dropping 8 straight games. Only 3 seniors are gone from their 8-15 team with senior and leading scorer Otto Kuhns leading the charge. Add senior Trace Wisecarver along with junior Joe Luckhaupt and you have an experienced Bulldogs team with some size that can contend in the MSL Buckeye division.
Buckeye Valley- The Barons have plenty of youth on their roster that make them a team that could make some noise in the next 1-2 years. Senior Dylan Herbert will be looked upon for leadership while sophomores Troy Scowden and Dylan Thompson will have opportunities to become the top guys early in the season. The Barons will be a tough team to compete with during the season, but their youth will give them a chance to be a next level team in the future.
Centennial- The Stars have a star in the making in junior Jaylen Gilbert as he is one of several key pieces returning for the Stars after a 12-11 season last year. Gilbert emerged as Centennial’s top returning scorer and will be the focal point in 2019-20. Fellow junior Travonne Jackson is also back and put up 12 points per game a year ago. One of the highest scoring offenses in the CCL North, Centennial used their offense to go 3-4 against the top teams in the CCL North. If they are able to have success against these teams again in 2019, the Stars could compete in the City League.
Columbus East- The Tigers started the season strong last year knocking off St. Charles and Centennial early in the season before winning just one game in January and two games in February. Most of the top scoring threats and overall players from a year ago are graduated. Several seniors are back that the Tigers will depend on. Cedric Norvett and Xzavier Brown-Anderson will be the leaders in 2019, and will play a role in whether East can improve from their 8-13 finish a season ago or drop in the standings yet again.
Eastmoor Academy- After a very successful stint from the 2018 class, Eastmoor took a step back in 2019 as they reloaded and finished 11-13 for the year. The Warriors struggled throughout the season, but found success late in the year as they won 4 of their last 7 and defeated Walnut Ridge during the time as well as single digit losses against Reynoldsburg and Beechcroft. Leading scorer Julian Binford returns and will lead the scoring push for the Warriors. 6’7 senior Da’lan Keaton also comes back and will be the primary interior scorer and gives Eastmoor a body to defend the size in the CCL South.
Granville- Last season was a bit under the radar per say for the Blue Aces. Finishing 17-5 on the season, Granville found success especially during the Licking Valley League and will try and replicate their success. They lose some of their scoring threats but return enough talent to stay competitive. Senior Jake Stone is back and the top returning scorer from a year ago. Junior Will Skerbetz is also back and gives Granville their size they will need to have an inside presence. It won’t be easy but the Blue Aces can still be a force to reckon with in Division II.
Hamilton Township- The Rangers were 7-1 to start the season before hitting a wall and finishing with only 4 wins in January and February. Interior play and rebounding will be concerning as senior Marquis Moore is the tallest returning player at 6’0.
Heath- Fans at Heath HS likely have their hopes high as the Bulldogs return most of their roster from a year ago. Offense was an area of struggle as Heath was held under 50 points scoring on several occasions. A few sophomores will be relied on heavily in 2019-20, including 6’6 Brandon McLaughlin and 6’3 Keylan Williams. Heath has the size to be quite a team to reckon with in the LVL but they move up to Division II this season meaning the competition will only be tougher.
Marengo Highland- The Scots lose their top 4 scorers from a year ago with their top returning scorers averaging no more than 6 points per game. 6’3 senior Ty Stiffler is the top scorer back and will have to be an inside force to contain some of the height coming back in the KMAC. Guard Branton Howard is back in the backcourt and should be a name to watch. With these two seniors leading the charge, Highland will need to find alternative scoring options in case either struggle on a given night. It will be difficult for the Scots to defend their conference title from the year prior.
Horizon Science- The top 3 scorers from last season are gone for Horizon as they look to rebound after an early exit in the Division III tournament a year ago. Junior center Ansoumane Oulare is the top returning player but will not have a bunch of experienced talent or scoring options around him. Amario Lee and Kyle Williams will be the names to watch for this team. With several of their top player being juniors, it will be tough for Horizon to be a challenger this season, but could be a team to watch next year if the pieces fit together. A move to Division II this season could also spell trouble.
Jonathan Alder- This upcoming season could be a huge year for the Pioneers as they return several pieces from last season’s 18-7 team that fell to Bishop Hartley 36-35 in the tournament. In the backcourt, senior Jackie Santa-Emma and junior Jackson Izzard will be the two names to watch as they are arguably the best backcourt in the CBC next year. 6’6 junior Henry Walker is also back and will be part of a solid frontcourt with 5 guys 6’3 or taller. With the experience coming back and overall talent, Alder can find themselves making a deep postseason run and depending on where they go on the bracket, could see themselves in a potential Regional game.
Hebron Lakewood- The Lancers are losing some of their top talent from their 7-15 team. Senior Connor Vierstra is the top name back and will need to step into a larger role if Lakewood is going to advance within the Licking Valley League.
Licking Valley- Leading scorer senior Carson Conley is back and has a few guys back to assist him. 6’4 senior Ethan Curry will be a nice secondary option for the Panthers. We think Valley will find themselves in the middle of the pack in the LVL.
Linden McKinley- Last season was inconsistent to say the least for the Panthers. An 11-11 finish is the best they could do and struggled againt fellow CCL teams. Chance Groce is back and should be the focal point of the offense for Linden as they start back for round 2. Multiple backcourt players will step into role positions, including junior Shannarion Rogers and sophomore Lason Walker. If Linden can find a way to knock off the higher ups in the CCL, they could vastly improve and increase their win totals.
London- The Indians finished 21-3 last season, but took a very early postseason exit to Granville. Many pieces including leading scorer Trey Woodyard are back and give London a chance of defending their CBC Kenton Division title. Woodyard and senior Isaiah Hatem will run the backcourt while junior Jainaz Cameron will be the force in the paint. The Indians have a ton of frontcourt presence which could allow them to be a tough team to defend on the glass. One of the biggest issues will be getting over Jonathan Alder who brings lots of experience back and finished right behind the Indians. Woodyard will have a chance to compete for 1st Team All-League honors, but London may find themselves runner-ups this season.
Marion-Franklin- The Red Devils lost a ton of talent from the year prior and will be in trouble as they look to advance in 2019. Their leading scorer from a year ago has graduated as have several keys pieces from their 6-13 team a year ago. Inexperience will be a major issue early on for the Red Devils as will their offensive efficiency. I expect a rough year this season.
River Valley- The Vikings were a young team last season and had glimpses of solid play while also dropping some tough losses. This year will be another year of developing guys as the Vikings again will be a young team in the MOAC. Led by sophomore guard Braylon McFarland and junior Ethan Bell, the Vikings will need consistent scoring if they are going to compete in the league this season. We expect their youth to make things difficult in terms of winning a MOAC title.
St. Francis DeSales- The Stallions were one of the best teams in the CCL last season, finishing 17-9 and tying for 1st in the league. Coming back are senior Kobe Righter and junior Desmond Watson who led the team in scoring a year ago. Watson has a chance to be player of the year and will be the leading scorer yet again. DeSales was the highest scoring offensive team in the league a year ago and should use that to their advantage as they try to repeat their success. We expect the Stallions to compete with St. Charles for a league title in 2019-20.
Bellevue- The Redmen return 1 of their top guys last season, but will need a lot of help to rebound from a 4-18 finish last year. Senior Caleb Mitchell is a low post threat at 6’6 and will be leaned on most for Bellevue. Offensive efficiency was not a strong point last year and will need to be fixed.
Bryan- The Golden Bears struggled immensely in NWOAL play, but bring back a few seniors that should allow them to build off their struggles and improve. Connor Arthur will be the leader on the perimeter while 6’3 Caleb Zuver will be the Bears interior threat on both ends of the floor.
Celina- The Bulldogs lost 4 of their top 6 from a year ago from a 4-19 team. While Celina struggled in the WBL, they do return some guys that will allow them to stay competitive. Seniors Brandon Kenser and Max Thobe are back and give the Bulldogs some size on the interior. The Bulldogs have depth in the frontcourt and will use their size to be a force to reckon with on the glass.
Clear Fork- A couple of seniors will be relied on as Clear Fork looks to continue their strong play in the MOAC. The Colts will rely on Brady Tedrow and Brennan Smith for scoring needs as they try to compete. A solid defensive team, Clear Fork will rely on their talent to keep competitive.
Clyde- Not enough info
Tiffin Columbian- The Tornadoes were one of the younger teams in the SBC a year ago with many sophomores and freshmen on roster. 2019 should be a little bit better now that the experience is there, but Columbian will still want to improve off of their 3-17 finish. Some of the guys to watch will be LJ Reaves and senior point guard Chase Frankhauser.
Defiance- While the Bulldogs return 4 of their top 8 players they still have some of the top personnel in the WBL. Seniors Tyrel Goings and Will Lammers are a strong 1-2 punch that allow Defiance to attack on the perimeter and post. A well put together team, Defiance is loaded with seniors and will be one of the more experienced teams in the league.
Milan Edison- Not enough info
Elida- The Bulldogs lose 5 of their top 9 players from last season and will try and replace them this upcoming year. Dante Wheeler transferred to Lima Senior this offseason, making 2 All-District players to leave Elida. Senior Dylan Buetner and junior Quan Moore will now be the top returning players but there will be questions if Elida can hang with the higher ups of the WBL.
Galion- The Tigers lose a lot of their size from the year prior, but bring back one of the best scorers in the MOAC in senior Isaiah Alsip. The 6’1 guard will need to find a supporting cast capable of helping him out. If so, this Galion team has a chance to be a surprise team in the league and in Sectional/District play.
Huron- The Tigers finished 10-12 last year and were known to keep games low scoring as they averaged and allowed less than 50 points per game. One of the most underrated shooters in Northwest Ohio resides in Huron with senior Drew Wennes. The 6’4 sharpshooter will be a name to watch as Huron tries to compete in the SBC this year.
Kenton- Not enough info
Lexington- After a successful 18-5 record last year, the Minutemen now must replace 8 seniors, with 5 of them being All-League performers. While much of the experience is talent is gone, there are still a few guys that could make this team competitive yet. Seniors Isaiah Pack and Max Waldruff now step up and give Lexington some serious size. Pack is 6’7 and Waldruff at 6’4 meaning the Minutemen will be one of the tougher teams to contain on the glass. While they won’t be as good as past Lexington teams, they are not completely irrelevant.
Mansfield Senior- The Tygers lose 4 All-League performers from last year and should take a step back in relation to what they did last year. Seniors Angelo Grose and Cameron Todd are back and anchor a Mansfield team that played a tough schedule last season before taking an early exit in the postseason. While replacing talent is always tough, we think the Tygers have enough back to stay relevant.
Maumee- The Panthers were not one of the higher scoring offenses a year ago, but return their top 2 players that make them a team to watch in the NLL this year. Guard David Walker is back for his senior year and will have a big weapon in the paint in 6’9 Garret White who is also a senior. Maumee has to find a way to get some wins against league competition, but has a solid duo to lean on and depend on.
Napoleon- The Wildcats were not a high scoring team on the offensive end last season and lose several key seniors from last year. Instead, 2 guards will be leaned on and both are juniors. 6’0 Zack Rosebrook and 5’9 Jarrett Gerdeman return and bring experience and playmaking abilities on both ends of the floor. Defense has to be an area of improvement for the Wildcats to stay competitive in the NLL.
Norwalk- The Truckers successfully made a run to the Regionals before falling 61-54 to state runner-up Columbus South. The good news is only 2 seniors graduated from that team, and now many guys return that will be seniors this year. One of the most exciting players returning is a junior in 6’3 Garrett Chapin. With the experience returning, this could be another great year for Norwalk, especially with South now in Division I. As long as the scoring can continue to bee a point of efficense, this could be a team worth watching in Division II.
Oak Harbor- The Rockets lose only 2 seniors from a 14-8 team. Led by senior Jac Alexander, Oak Harbor is another high-level defensive team that finds a way to create chaos which in turn allows them to be a competitive team. Sophomore TJ Hallett and senior Gage Brough are two additional names to keep an eye on. If the Rockets can contain the size in the SBC, they could be a team worth watching.
Ontario- One of the best offensive teams in the MOAC a year ago, Ontario brings back a lot of their scoring talent from the year prior and should be a top 3 team in the league in 2019-20. Juniors Griffin Shaver and Kolten Kurtz will join senior Shaquan Coburn to form a very strong backcourt. A guard oriented team, we have concerns if the Warriors will be able to defend the perimeter against bigger and taller teams.
Perkins- The Pirates looked most comfortable in games held under 60 points. With 4 seniors gone and several upperclassmen returning, Perkins will still be a team to watch. Junior guard Sam Siegel is going to be the leader for this team and will be the reason if Perkins makes a deep run. If they can continue a focus of defensive presence and also keep pace of games slower, they could win a few games in the SBC.
Port Clinton- Not enough info
Rogers- The Rams became a state contender over the summer after picking up 2 huge transfers. Junior Stephen Coleman came over from MVCD and Jamiya Neal transferred from St. Francis DeSales giving the Rams some length. Senior DaSean Nelson returned bringing his 6’7 frame back as well as senior Ketaan Wyatt. While the upperclassmen are strong, several sophomores wil provide support as well in Jordan Kynard and Nate Houston. They have size, athleticism, and overall skill. Few teams will be able to matchup with the Rams and they should be considered the very early favorites in the City League for 2019.
Rossford- The Bulldogs finished above .500 in Northern Buckeye Conference play, but was winless outside of the conference. Rossford was playing some great basketball down the stretch, winning 6 of their last 8 before the postseason. Explosive junior guard CamRon Gaston returns to run the point and wil have a big option to help him in 6’5 senior Ethan DeWese. Expect the Bulldogs to find a way to compete this year and could be a dark horse in the NBC.
Sandusky- The Blue Streaks lose 5 seniors from last year, but return 8 guys that are all seniors this season. Leading the pack will be Tahj Staveskie and Dylon Jones. Anytime you can have upperclassmen you can be a tough team to defeat. With some depth and experience, the Blue Streaks will have a chance to compete in the SBC, but will need to find a way to get past Norwalk who defeated them twice by double digits last year.
Scott- Not enough info
Lima Shawnee- The Indians are back after a 24-4 record and a Regional appearance. While they lose 4 of their top 6 scorers from last year, the Indians have a very strong junior class that will allow them to continue to be one of the top teams in the league. George Mangas, Tyson Elwer, and Logan Maxwell all return and all will be leaned on. One of the top offensive teams in the WBL last year, we expect Shawnee to again be a favorite in the league.
Shelby- The Whippets took a few losses last season, but return a core nucleus of players that should allow them to become a more competitive team in the MOAC in 2019-20. It all starts in junior T.J. Pugh and his playmaking abilities. Shelby will have plenty of guys coming back to surround Pugh, the question will be can they take the next step in advancing their game and become a tougher opponent in the MOAC.
St. Mary’s Memorial- The Roughriders have a nice group of guys returning that could be a dark horse in the WBL. 6’5 senior Ethan Steger will be a name to watch as he leads Memorial this year. Also keep an eye on Max Mielke and Jack Cisco in the backcourt.
Upper Sandusky- The Rams return 2 of their top 3 players from last year. Senior Mason Vent gives Upper Sandusky a consistent 20+ point scoring threat on any night. Senior Cameron McCreary also returns and is one of the better on-ball defenders in the conference as well as one of the best distributors on the offensive end. If the Rams can have some additional scoring threats to support Vent, they could see themselves challenging for a Northern 10 Conference title.
Van Wert- The Cougars look to continue their success after a 14-10 season and lose 4 seniors from last year. Owen Treece is back and as a junior will be one of Van Wert’s best players. If they can have some bench support, they may be able to challenge some of the top teams in the WBL.
Vermilion- The Sailors lose quite a bit of talent, including 2 All-District performers from a very good team last year. Finding replacements for their high scoring offense will make or break if this team can stay competitive in the SBC.
Wapakoneta- The Indians lose almost their entire roster from last year and will look to reload. Upperclassmen Reed Mericle and Noah Ambos are back and will be leaned on most, but new guys will have to step up and fill in the gaps for Wapak to continue contending in the WBL.
Wauseon- The Indians lose 7 total seniors from last year, including 2 All-League players. When looking at the returning talent, sophomore Jonas Tester is one of the most impressive players on the team and will have the opportunity to lead as the starting point guard. While Tester returning is great, there is still plenty of depth and talent across the board that Wauseon can remain in the hunt in the NWOAL.
Woodward- Not enough info