Federal League Preview
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The Federal League is arguably my favorite conference/league in Northeast Ohio. Featuring some of the more legendary programs from the area, the league consistently produces District champion teams seemingly every year. 2022 saw 2 teams in the District Finals with…
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Continue ReadingThe Federal League is arguably my favorite conference/league in Northeast Ohio. Featuring some of the more legendary programs from the area, the league consistently produces District champion teams seemingly every year. 2022 saw 2 teams in the District Finals with 2023 giving a chance to again have 2 teams clinch District titles again.
- Canton McKinley– The Bulldogs are returning almost everyone from a team that was runner up in the Federal League last year. Jahlil Graham Jahlil Graham 6'0" | PG Canton McKinley | 2023 State OH (Sr) returns after a phenomenal year at the PG position and will have Tra’Sean Foster (Sr) also back as both were All-District last year. Young players Je’cis Moody (So) and Reed Sims Jr Reed Sims Jr 6'5" | SG Canton McKinley | 2025 State OH (So) will contribute right away and gives the Bulldogs a lot of optimism moving forward to claim an outright title in 2023.
- Green– Last year’s league champions move down a spot as they lose their top 2 players from a District championship team. The cupboard isn’t empty however as the Bulldogs return athletes Brady Rollyson (Jr) and Jarrett Taylor Jarrett Taylor 6'5" | PF Uniontown Green | 2024 State OH (Jr) from a season ago. Not only this, but the Bulldogs return one of the best 2025s in the state in Nikola Bundalo Nikola Bundalo 6'9" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2025 State #22 Nation OH (So) who could see some serious numbers based on his performances in the AAU/offseason.
- Lake– The Blue Streaks bring back experience, although much of their experience is older than other teams in the league. Chance Casenhiser Chance Casenhiser 5'11" | PG Uniontown Lake | 2024 State OH (Jr) is back after an All-District campaign along with Landyn Roth (Sr) from last year. Lake competed throughout the season and 2023 will likely be much of the same.
- Massillon Jackson– The Polar Bears had a ”down” year last season and yet they still ended up in the District Finals last year. While they lose 3 key contributors from that team, there is plenty of young talent that performed well during AAU as well as some senior leadership. Owen Woolbert Owen Woolbert 6'7" | C Massillon Jackson | 2023 State OH and James Bossart James Bossart 6'3" | SF Massillon Jackson | 2023 State OH are back with the experience for the Polar Bears, as well as Mitch Finefrock Mitch Finefrock 6'1" | SG Massillon Jackson | 2025 State OH (So) and Kyle Monterrubio Kyle Monterrubio 6'3" | SF Massillon Jackson | 2025 State OH (So) from AAU. Repeating a District title is going to be quite a feat to repeat. But this program has the history and potential.
- GlenOak– Young team last year and it showed at times. With much of their returning talent being underclassmen, the Golden Eagles are bringing back quite a bit, but the youth could spell trouble again this year. Ja’Corey Lipkins Ja’Corey Lipkins 6'1" | CG GlenOak | 2024 State OH (Jr) will be returning and is one of the best players in Northeast Ohio and will be looked upon as a leader for the sophomores, led by Reese Zerger Reese Zerger 6'5" | C GlenOak | 2025 State OH and Bryce Broom Bryce Broom 5'10" | PG GlenOak | 2025 State OH . Lot of upside for sure.
- North Canton Hoover– One of the top teams last year, Hoover takes a step back losing their top 2 guys who were both All-District performers. The rest of the league appears to have 1-2 guys coming back with some experience which could hurt Hoover.
- Massillon Perry– Brings in a new coach after a 1 win season. Joel Brown (Sr) will be back after being the top player last year, and will add Zander Sabin Zander Sabin 5'9" | PG Massillon Pery | 2023 State OH (Sr) from Tuscarawas Central Catholic. Not going to see massive strides in one year, but will certainly be better than last year.