Columbus City League Preview
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The Columbus City League got off to a late start last season and as a result didn’t get a chance to really get into a groove. Africentric missed out on an opportunity to play in the Division III tournament and…
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Continue ReadingThe Columbus City League got off to a late start last season and as a result didn’t get a chance to really get into a groove. Africentric missed out on an opportunity to play in the Division III tournament and Beechcroft took an earlier exit than expected. Both teams are expected to be better in 2022 and should both be the favorites to win the league. Tony looks at the CCL and gives his predictions for the upcoming season.
North Division
The North division clearly runs through Beechcroft as the Cougars are the clear favorites to win in the division. The Cougars are returning their duo of JJ Simmons JJ Simmons 5'10" | PG Beechcroft | 2022 State OH and Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH from last year’s CCL championship team among other seniors. It’s hard to see many teams giving them a challenge and frankly this might be one of the best Division II teams in the state. Northland and Linden McKinley are battling for spots 2 and 3. The Vikings have a talented Point Guard in Robert Dorsey Robert Dorsey 5'10" | PG Northland | 2022 State OH (Sr) but they lose in total 3 of their top 5. Linden also loses 3 of their top 5 but have a solid senior duo in LA Walker LA Walker 6'5" | SF Linden-McKinley | 2022 State OH and L.B. Towns coming back. Centennial will be without their top 2 from a season ago. Columbus East returns 2 of their top 3 back. International has one of the more talented sophomores in Kj Jones Kj Jones 6'8" | C Columbus International | 2024 State OH (So) and will look to continue improving with their young team. Mifflin and Whetstone will hang around the bottom of the division.
South Division
Africentric will be the best team in the South division with little competition. The Nubians missed out on the OHSAA tournament after COVID ended their season prematurely. They bring back the best prospect in the league in Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH (Jr) along with Dan Wagner Dan Wagner 6'0" | CG Columbus Africentric Early College | 2022 State OH (Sr) and Preston Steele Preston Steele 6'5" | PF Africentric | 2023 State OH (Jr). Walnut Ridge will also be a team worth watching as they have a younger team led by sophomores Na’Varion Adams and Dominique Aekins Dominique Aekins 5'8" | PG Walnut Ridge | 2024 State OH . Also returning Zion Blevins Zion Blevins 6'2" | SF Walnut Ridge | 2022 State OH . Eastmoor Academy has one of the better bigs in Dennis Asoro Dennis Asoro 6'8" | C Eastmoor | 2022 State OH (Sr), but must show they are going to compete better after winning 2 games last year. Briggs, Marion-Franklin and Columbus South both are returning some of their younger talent from a season ago. Independence and Columbus West both lose quite a few guys from their teams as well.