State title contenders in Division II
In this article:
The high school basketball season starts this week and it’s time to start thinking about which teams will be competing for state titles come playoff time. STVM: The defending state champions will once again be one of the best teams…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe high school basketball season starts this week and it’s time to start thinking about which teams will be competing for state titles come playoff time.
STVM: The defending state champions will once again be one of the best teams in the state and are clear favorites in Division II. Sencire Harris Sencire Harris 6'4" | PG St. Vincent-St. Mary | 2022 State #79 Nation OH and Ramar Pryor Ramar Pryor 6'2" | SG St. Vincent-St. Mary | 2022 State OH have the senior experience and they have Juniors ready to fill in for those that graduated. The Irish can be taken down, but it’ll take a complete team effort to knock them off the top.
Toledo Central Catholic: Potentially the top team in the Toledo area, TCC has a lot of talent to work with this season. Chico Johnson Chico Johnson 6'2" | SG Toledo Central Catholic | 2023 State OH and Michael Greenlee Michael Greenlee 5'10" | PG Toledo Central Catholic | 2023 State OH is a great guard duo and they have a lot of size to pair with them.
Archbishop Alter: Alter returns a nice core 5 starters that all shoot the ball well from the outside and are centered around Jacob Conner Jacob Conner 6'7" | PF Alter | 2022 State OH . With their shooting ability, they’ll have a chance to make a deep playoff run.
Heath: It’s all come down to this season for the Bulldogs. With Brandon McLaughlin Brandon McLaughlin 6'8" | C Heath | 2022 State OH , Reece Huber Reece Huber 6'4" | SF Heath | 2022 State OH and Keylan Williams Keylan Williams 6'6" | PF Heath | 2022 State OH , Heath has three seniors with size that are all quality college prospects. They went unbeaten in 2019-20 when these three were Sophomores and are now ready to take that next step into state title contention.
Chaminade Juliene: The surprise team in the final four last season, Chaminade Juliene is more equipped to make a run this season. Jonathan Powell Jonathan Powell 6'5" | SG Centerville | 2024 State #164 Nation OH is a sophomore and they still have a lot of size and speed. The Cinderella story from 2021 deserves a seat at the dance again in 2022.
Trotwood-Madison: The Rams were one of the most inexperienced teams in the state last season but all their 2024 talent is maturing. I think this team will continue to grow and will be a totally different team in February and March than it is in December.
Cincinnati Woodward: This all hinges on if Paul McMillan IV Paul McMillan IV 6'2" | PG Woodward | 2022 State #229 Nation OH is eligible for the entire season, but if he is, Woodward is a legit state title threat in Division II. They were one of the most impressive teams I saw all summer and their defensive pressure gives teams fits.
Buchtel: Despite losing Chris Livingston to transfer to Oak Hill, Buchtel still has the talent to compete for a regional title. MJ Boyce MJ Boyce 6'2" | SG Buchtel | 2023 State OH returns with transfers like Khoi Thurmon Khoi Thurmon 6'1" | PG Buchtel | 2023 State OH , Amire Robinson Amire Robinson 6'4" | SF Buchtel | 2023 State OH and Christian Harmon Christian Harmon 6'5" | PF Buchtel | 2023 OH .
Beechcroft: Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH and company have so much senior leadership and they didn’t really get a full season to mesh due to the pandemic. With a full season together, this team could be a very tough out in the playoffs.
Dayton Dunbar: Dunbar was another team I thought was very impressive when I saw them this summer. The Allen brothers are both very productive and they have one of the better freshman guards as well.
Waverly: The best team in southeast Ohio, the Tigers are led by star PG Trey Robertson Trey Robertson 5'10" | PG Waverly | 2022 State OH . Robertson is paired with a bunch of football talent that brings strength and toughness to this squad. Don’t be surprised if Waverly ends up winning 20+ games this season.
Other teams to watch: CVCA, Tiffin Columbian, Bishop Watterson, Columbus DeSales, Gilmour, Padua, Lima Shawnee, Shelby