The 2022 Ohio High School Playoff Basketball Notebook
Since I did something like this for football, I felt like it was only right for me to compile a playoff notebook on the Ohio Basketball Scene. The Sectional Semifinals in Columbus start on Feb. 22. Covering high school basketball in Delaware County has truly been such a rewarding experience, it’s not a job when you love what you do
NOTE: My 17-year-old brother Justin (JR) helped contribute to this project. He took photos at a lot of high school sporting events over the past year and I used some of them for The Ohio High School Football Playoff Guide. For this, he contributed to a significant portion of the team analysis for the non-Delaware County squads and wrote a lot of the words on players around the state
***
NOTE: Max Brunke also had a large role in creating this notebook. He knows ball in Southern Ohio. He also helped spearhead the creation of Orange Sports Live back in his high school days
Feel free to leave a comment and/or subscribe to this newsletter so you can get content like this in the future
DELAWARE COUNTY TEAM ANALYSIS:
An in-depth breakdown of every Delaware County boys basketball team (Sean’s Coverage Area)
+OLENTANGY ORANGE: This well-balanced Pioneer squad is catching fire at just the right time. It seems like the lower scoring the game is, the better this team fares. They aren’t overwhelming offensively, they win games with a total team effort. Good defense and timely shooting is all it takes. Orange is 13-6 after starting out 2-3. The turnaround has been stunning. Coach Anthony Calo is certainly getting the most out of his guys. They are a defensive team at heart. It’s all about controlling the flow of the game, that’s the hallmark of a Calo team. They hold most opponents to under 50 points a game. The scoring is very evenly distributed. They don’t have a standout offensive superstar, but that overall team effort was enough to propel them to the No. 8 seed. Leading scorer Mikey “Meat” McCollum is averaging 13.1 points per game. When McCollum gets going from deep, the Pioneers can contend with anyone, they will go as far as he will take them. Junior guard Elias Lewis does a really good job of running their offense efficiently, he is putting up 12.7ppg. Orange has a solid third option to go to in Eddie Brown, who is such a good finisher at the rim, watch out if he puts his head down and decides to drive to the hoop. Aidan King, Jordan Edwards and Jake Werling are solid guys in the rotation. The Pioneers really don’t have any “bad” losses, almost all of them came early in the season to teams ranked ahead of them. Even after earning the No. 8 seed, Orange did not get a very favorable tournament draw. They are set to face the winner of Logan/Whitehall in round 2 of the district tournament (Logan beat them in 2018). If they win that, then they will likely face the winner of Olentangy Liberty/Dublin Coffman in round 3. IF they win their first two games of the tourney then they would likely face No. 1 Pickerington Central in the District Finals
+OLENTANGY LIBERTY: The Patriots started out the season 0-5, but they are a completely different team now than they were in November. That is largely because of the improvement of Cooper Davis, who is now up to 20.7 points per game. He is the best shooter of the rock in the county. The emergence of floor general Trey Majidzadeh has been huge to their late season run. It took them until midway through the year to get going, but Liberty rattled off seven straight victories and won 9 of 10 at one point. They have some of the best wins of any team in Division 1; they beat Newark, Olentangy Orange, Upper Arlington, Olentangy, Dublin Coffman, St. Charles and Hilliard Davidson. It seems like the better the opponent, the better they play. They are still figuring out their identity as a team though. They love to throw out different defensive looks to confuse opposing offenses. They have been on a tear as of late and that is how they earned the No. 10 seed after starting 0-5. Coach Greg Nossaman will have them prepared for anyone. They are set to face the winner of Dublin Coffman/Independence in round 2. If they win that, then there’s a good chance they play Orange for a spot in the District Final
+DELAWARE HAYES: The Pacers are one of those teams that’s good right now, but a year away from being really good. They have such a young roster with several underclassmen starting and playing big roles. The team has had its share of ups-and-downs. The good thing is, they are one of the few teams in the area with a bonafide star scorer in sophomore guard Jesse Burris. Burris literally does everything for them; he probably leads them in every statistical category. If he has an off night, the Pacers will be in trouble. Burris is putting up 21.2 points per game and is surely getting on to the radar of college coaches by now. Their second leading scorer is Jake Lowman, who is averaging 10.3 ppg, he’s a very valuable component to the team’s success. I have covered three Pacers games and in the one that Lowman missed, they had their worst offensive performance of the season. They have beaten some really good teams, but lost to a few teams seeded below them. Hayes comes in to the district tournament seeded at No. 18 and will face the winner of Big Walnut/Marysville in round 2. If they win that second round game, there’s a good chance they will face No. 1 Pick Central in the District Semis
+BIG WALNUT: The Golden Eagles have had a bit of a rocky season. They are 9-10 and come into the tournament at No. 23, which is fitting for the season they have had. It seems like they’ll win two games, then drop the next two. It’s the inconsistency that has plagued them. They sort of match the level of competition. Their best win of the season was a 13-point drubbing of Delaware Hayes. Big Walnut doesn’t have a single player averaging more than 10 points per game, but they still have some good players. Ryan Tripp is their leading scorer with 9.2ppg. 6-foot-10 Center Will Baden has a knack for making emphatic plays on both ends of the court, he is the Eagles’ second leading scorer (9.1ppg). Carter Imertreijs makes a high percentage of his shots on the perimeter and his play is crucial to their team success. They are set to play No. 27 Marysville in the Sectional Semifinals and if they win that, then they will face Delaware Hayes (that would be a dream all-Delaware County playoff matchup)
+OLENTANGY BERLIN: The Bears are 8-11. They ended up being the lowest-seeded boys team in The Delaware Gazette Coverage Area at No. 35, but I am here to tell you why they are better than their record suggests. They started the year 1-5 and it looked like they were in store for a rough season. Things have gradually gotten better over the last few months, but every time Berlin gets close to getting back to .500, they end up dropping a game. They have some good wins over Delaware Hayes, Olentangy and Thomas Worthington. I feel like 35 is criminally low, but I can also see why they were seeded there. They have a variety of offensive weapons; leading scorer Jason Inbody (12.6ppg), Derek Goodman (10.5ppg) and Mathios Abenet (10.4ppg). They have good size and can beat you by playing through the post or by shooting threes. The program is heading in the right direction under Coach Barrett, which is another great athletic hire by Berlin Athletic Director John Betz
+BUCKEYE VALLEY: They are a top-five team in Division 2. They have had a magnificent regular season. After losing its opener to Delaware Hayes, Buckeye Valley rattled off 11 straight wins and is now 16-2. They locked up the MSL-Ohio Conference. There is no shortage of good players on this team. Dylan Thompson has only played in 10 games, but is putting up a team-high 16.3 points per game. Owen Osbourne is having a great season (15.3ppg). Troy Scowden is chipping in 13.4 points a contest. Connor Hardman and Mason Kurtz are good contributors, each adding over 7ppg. The Barons are probably Delaware County’s best chance at a state championship, but they have a tough task ahead of them
+OLENTANGY: The Braves have struggled all year, their 7-12 record is reflective of that. However, only two of those 12 losses was by double digits. They come into the tournament at No. 34. Olentangy is scheduled to face the winner of Upper Arlington/Chilicothe in the Sectional Finals. Ethan Smith is the Braves’ most talented player, he will make sure to put the team on his back when it matters
CENTRAL OHIO D1 SEEDING ROUNDUP:
PICKERINGTON CENTRAL: They have arguably the best trio in the state in Devin Royal, Sonny Styles, and Gavin Headings. Royal and Styles often steal the show with their athletic prowess, but this team has multiple facets to them and that’s what makes them so great. Gavin Headings is a 6-foot-9 pure stretch big who has impeccable range with a solid handle. The Tigers rightfully earned the No. 1 seed in the boys district tournament with the amazing season they have had and they ended up getting a very favorable draw. That gauntlet of a schedule should have them battle tested. Almost everyone expects them to be able to make it to the state final 4 at the least with the talent they have
WESTERVILLE SOUTH: DO NOT SLEEP ON THESE CATS. They are one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in Ohio, that should stand for something. They actually had two more first-place votes than Gahanna, but came in at No. 3. That should prove to be enough motivation for them. South already has that championship pedigree and they are so hungry for another state title. They are so well coached (Ed Calo is such a legend) and they have the absolute perfect mix of guys who do all the little things necessary to win. Drey Carter is the primary scoring option with over 18ppg. It will take a Herculean effort to beat these guys. They should win their district and make a big run
PICKERINGTON NORTH: With a Generational Talent in Arness Lawson, he is complemented by a trio of seniors in Jerry Saunders, Corey Hudson and Dior Connors. The seniors are great scorers and all can get you a bucket when needed. The only teams that have fatigued North were their rival Pick Central and Gahanna Lincoln, while the Panthers have dubs against SVSM, Newark, and Huber Heights Wayne. This team has more than what it takes to make a Final Four run
NEWARK: If you could define grit in one word it would be this Newark boys basketball program. Grant Burkholder’s motor is off the charts, he has a great IQ, and is a defensive guru (JR’s Comp: Aaron Craft). Sophomore Steele Meister can play every position and is a good complement to guard Ethan Stare. The rugged and sturdy guards make up for a lack of size, but do they have what it takes to make it back to their fourth straight district title?
WESTERVILLE NORTH: The Warriors are a team to watch out for, they have a great blend of young and veteran talent. North is 13-5 and only getting better. They took Westerville South to OT on Jan. 28 and probably should have won that game. Point Guard Noah Lawrence effectively runs the offense. Freshman Micah Young is a solid two-way player and he’s their third leading scorer. This team has depth for days
HILLIARD DAVIDSON: They are very underrated with their three-headed offensive attack all averaging over 10 points per game; Jayden Nervis, Ryan Paris and Peyton Frey. They could turn some heads in the district tourney
DUBLIN COFFMAN: The Shamrocks were criminally underseeded at No. 21. I thought they were better than a lot of the teams ahead of them, but they struggled at times this season. Part of that is because Ajay Sheldon is really their only primary scorer, he is averaging 23.3 points per game. Nobody else is putting up more than 8ppg. If they want to win tournament games, they will have to hope Sheldon goes for 30+ and/or he gets more help from his teammates
WESTERVILLE CENTRAL: The defending state-runner up had a bit of a disappointing season, they are coming into the district tournament at No. 28. It was just hard for them to replace the talent that they had last season (Tasos Cook + others) and they went on such a magical, unexpected run. They are set to face Thomas Worthington in the first round. If they beat TW, they will face Westerville South in round 2
REYNOLDSBURG: Led by their star freshman Jordan Fisher and Toby Nwokolo, the Raiders have a plethora of young skill that is going to be a treat to watch in the upcoming seasons. Additionally Noah Smith has explosive talent and plays defense like a madman every single play. I cannot wait to see this team evolve in the approaching years
DUBLIN JEROME: Ryan Nutter and the Celtics are as gritty as it gets. The growth of C.C. Ezirim has been an enjoyment to watch these last couple years. Additionally the inner city transfer of Daviyon McDonald from Coffman to Jerome has been a huge key to their success this year, as him and C.C. control the paint in high prosperity. Jerome has solid wins against Thomas Worthington, Westerville North, and Olentangy Liberty. Justin expects them to continue these triumphs into a sweet 16 performance and possibly even better
SOUTHEAST OHIO TEAM ANALYSIS:
*NOTE FROM MAX BRUNKE*
In the half year I’ve managed social media for Hardwood Heroes — an Ohio University affiliated high school basketball show that covers Tri-Valley Conference teams — I’ve had the privilege of gaining knowledge about nearly every TVC team on both the Girls and Boys sides of the court. Today, I will be listing teams in the TVC that I believe have a fighting chance at a state title this year, or at least at a deep playoff run
+TRIMBLE BOYS: Topping the list of title contenders has to be the Trimble Tomcats of Glouster, Ohio. A dominant force on the hardwood, Trimble remains undefeated (as of Feb. 9th) at 17-0, with several impressive wins in and out of conference. The Tomcats do still have to play in conference Federal Hocking, who currently sit at 16-3, but given the Lancers track record this season against tough opponents, it’s difficult to see Trimble losing their first game of the year to them. As for the roster — and I don’t mean this lightly — absolutely stacked. Leading the fray is the Tomcats all-time leading scorer Blake Guffey, who surpassed the 1,629 points mark a couple of weeks ago to etch himself into the record books. He’s truly a pleasure to watch compete and will surely make a splash in the tournament. It’s not just him too, his supporting cast is outstanding. The likes of Austin Wisor, Bryce Downs, Tyler Weber, and Tucker Dixon will all see exponential playtime this tournament run. It’s also worth mentioning that everyone previously named are seniors, so this squad is in a “win now” mindset. There aren’t any solid claims as to why this team won’t at least go deep into the playoffs, but if I may just make a baseless claim really quick: Teams that go into playoff games with no losses — no matter the sport — scare me. Trimble has only scored less than 60 points in a game ONCE this season, and they faced a full-court press in that entire game (and still won by double the score). Needless to say, my personal expectations for the Tomcats are extremely high. Their floor for me is Regional finals — which I fully expect them to win — but any loss before then would be a catastrophe
+TRIMBLE GIRLS: Similar to the boys’ side of things for Trimble, the Lady Tomcats have had a wonderful season so far. Sitting at 16-3, they’ve had a historic year; even by their stellar annual standards. Unlike the boys’, the Lady Tomcats have already played their conference grim reaper in Waterford. They’ve split the series 1-1 on the year, and will most likely share the TVC-Hocking title as a result. The similarities roll on as well, because this team doesn’t have just one standout star — but rather an incredible group of talented players with a strong head at coach to lead them to success. And I’m not sure what’s in the water for the 22’ class in Glouster, but this womens’ team tallies eight seniors (seven total for the boys), and they all seem like they can ball. Unlike the boys’, I do have genuine reservations about this team. Though their losses come from good teams, their losses come via opposing schemes rather than overpowering talent. Trimble surely has the personnel, but tends to crumble when faced with a challenging defense. The second time the Tomcats faced Waterford — keyword: second time — the Wildcats utilized an intense full court press the entire matchup. Now, a team that struggles to put up points against quality defense, has added heavy pressure to their plate. As a result, Trimble was handed a 22 point loss — their largest of the season by a mile. On top of all of that, seven of Trimble’s 19 games were within single digits. That’s concerning, especially since most of those came in the second half of the season. Riding off the back of two straight losses, the Tomcats desperately need to turn things around, and quickly. All of that negativity out of the way, this team can genuinely beat anyone they face on the right night. I personally worry about the consistency of their game plan and how it’ll play out come late playoffs. I think their floor is regional semifinals, which is slightly generous given their historic form. Door’s wide open for the Lady Tomcats, this is definitely a run to keep an eye on
+ALEXANDER BOYS: The Alexander boys’ are quite an interesting read to make. In the nicest way possible, they’re incredibly inconsistent. They sit at 11-9 at the moment, with a 9-2 record in the TVC-Ohio. They’re 2-7 in out-of-conference play, and while they’ve played some tough opponents, it doesn’t excuse them from anything. Even more wild, they’ve doubled over Vinton County this season — the top team in their conference. If you’re wondering what’s going on here, allow me to throw another wrench in the gears: they have arguably one of the best players in Southeast Ohio. Junior Kyler D’Augustino is already rewriting the record books in Albany, and he’s still got a year left to play. However, the success of the offensive game really leans on his form on a given night, hence the inconsistency in their performances. On nights when D’Augustino isn’t hitting and his supporting cast isn’t helping, you can pretty much count them out of it. For these reasons, it’s really difficult to pinpoint where they land come tournament time. They will most likely face Meigs late in the tournament if they make it to that point, and they already have a win over them so it should be an interesting run. Their floor: basically don’t get upset round one or two
+ALEXANDER GIRLS: The Lady Spartans have put together quite the squad for this season, and have secured some of their best performers in years. While they may not have an out and out star, they have two talented young women surrounded by a decent supporting cast to push this season forward. Seniors Marlee Grinstead and Kara Meeks have been major players for this team in all four years they’ve been competing for Alexander, and will be missed to this teams success in the future. Grinstead is even the daughter of head coach Jeff Grinstead, so she tends to have a deeper understanding of the gameplan that most players around here in general. Grinstead truly is a star, and with the team they have around them, they could go deep. They’re similar to the boys record wise, with a 13-9 overall and a 9-3 conference record. However, the teams they’ve beaten and lost to are pretty reasonable, with minimal surprises unlike the boys’. I think this team has a strong enough structure to be a solid dark horse candidate in the tournament, so keep an eye out. P.S. (or just fun fact) each star of these teams with Grinstead and D’Augustino are actually dating. I guess basketball players love basketball players!
+VINTON COUNTY BOYS: Vinton County has had several consecutive years of success on the court now, and this year has been no different. Each year it’s a different star, and this is the year that they all are finally coming to a pique. VC are 13-7 overall with an 8-2 conference record, with both of their losses in conference coming from the strong Alexander team. This team, regardless, is the real deal. Nothing really concerns me about them. They play sound basketball, win a lot of free throws and make almost 90% of the FT’s they take. As long as this team is hitting shots, then it won’t be a concern come tournament time. Seniors Eli Radabaugh and Braylon Damron are the studs of the squad, but the entire starting lineup filled with seniors have been outstanding for the Vikings. Their floor realistically is anything within regionals. This team is good enough to make it to the finals, whether or not they can keep it together by then is a separate conversation. But I am confident in them, and you should be as well
+VINTON COUNTY GIRLS: The girls’ are a more dominant force than the boys’, and their track record proves that. They went 15-4 overall this season, with an impressive 11-1 conference record along with the TVC-Ohio title. The conference title was their FIFTH straight, so winning culture is flowing throughout the organization. This team has my highest hopes for tournament play. There are numerous women on this team that are major players, but for the sake of my own time, I will only highlight Seniors Cameron Zinn and Tegan Bartoe. Not only are these two outstanding this season, but were dominant in their tournament run two years ago where I actually got to watch them in person. Bartoe tends to play around the post very well, and Zinn is an ice-cold shooter. Zinn recently reached the 1,000 points mark, and with the cast that she has around her, is an incredible feat. And at the time I’m writing this, which is several days after the Trimble piece, the Lady Vikings and Lady Tomcats went head-to-head last night. Although VC didn’t lay down a full court press as I suggested earlier was the best way to beat them, they pulled out a 10 point victory over Trimble. Mark my words, this team is legit. Here is a link to that full game recap, I highly suggest watching it given these two teams but gave us a Game-of-the-Year candidate
Again, nothing concerns me about these girls really. Anything within regionals would be a successful season, but you would expect that with the amount of seniors on this squad, a win-now mentality has taken the reins. An early loss to an average Marietta team is the only blip I can cite, but after discussing with VC reporters, it sounded like a fluke game paired with questionable refs. I am extremely excited to watch these girls compete for a state title in Division II
HOOPER REPORT:
—Sean Jones: He is Ohio’s Mr. Basketball. The best player in the state. A top 20 player in the country. His blend of athleticism, skill and talent is unmatched. The only reason he doesn’t have more offers and recognition is because he’s a little undersized, but you know the old saying that you can’t measure heart. This kid has it. He is going to do great things at Marquette. It’s a shame Ohio State hasn’t offered, they are missing out on one of the best players to ever come out of Columbus
—Arness Lawson: Remember the name. The freshman has a combination of exquisite athleticism and pure ball handling that will awe you. He has great resemblance to the likes of Dejounte Murray, with a lengthy wingspan and sturdy build. The Pick North guard has a competitive psyche that is artlessly prosperous
—Chase Walker: St. Charles got a good one in the big man, but you just have to imagine the upsurge in recruitment growth Chase could have gotten had John Paul Mobley Jr. attended St. Charles like he was originally going to. He has such a rare skillset and a physique similar to that of a bowling ball. Walker is a bruiser. He dominates the paint every single game. Would like to see him improve his energy/stamina levels, which is extremely hard for someone of that build. Nevertheless, the All-Ohio Red EYBL product is one of a kind
—Gavin Headings: The Pick Central junior is one of the most underrated in the city. His handles and shooting are elite for his size, and his post presence is righteous although he is complimented by Sonny Styles and Devin Royal in the paint which is a good rationale for him going under the radar
—Mikey McCollum: Seeing the development firsthand of Mikey through his middle school years has been a sight to behold. He was always a bucket-getter, someone who loved to score as many points as possible while being a team-first player. He has become a great shooter from deep with almost unlimited range. He loves to pull from deep. He’s also a great finisher and a multi-level scorer who can run any offense
—Jesse Burris: Great all-around talent. Burris is a high-volume shooter and when he’s on, it’s scary. He is much more than a scorer, he does it all for the Pacers. He makes sure to stuff the stat sheet. He will clamp the opposing team’s best player, grab rebounds to start transitions and jump the passing lanes. There's nothing he won’t do out there. One thing I would like to see him improve is his shot IQ, generally it’s fine because he’s a decent shooter, but far too often he takes questionable shots because his teammates aren’t creating or getting open. It shouldn’t be long before college scouts start looking at him. If he’s this good as a sophomore, I can only imagine what he will be like in a year or two
—Micah Young: A hard-nose, savvy bucket getter with exceptional shot creating abilities. Micah could be recognized as a defense first guard, with his hands and feet moving at all times you will not find a more determined guard in his class. It’s going to be extraordinary to witness the blossoming of Micah Young for the next three years
—Dallas Tucker: A silky smooth point guard with great IQ and court vision. His pass first mentality can sort of hedge him a little, as he can shoot from anywhere he wants on the court. I expect him to have a really good progression from sophomore to junior year, as Westerville Central will keep Donovan Hunter and Buba Bangura
—Joey Zalewski: His athleticism is remarkable and sitting at around 6’6, the junior has as much potential as any kid in the area. Along with the fact that he is still growing, his jump shot continues to improve contrasting his pure slasher build
—Majadi Cunningham: The Westerville South point guard has his game mapped exactly after Kyrie Irving. His hands are as quick as they come. Jadi’s handles and dribble-pull up are second to none. Simply, when he is leading your offense, good things happen.. (Westerville South is 18-0)
—Juwan Turner: The Pick Central guard has an elite feel for the basketball, with his game being explicitly graphed after pass first “Point God” Chris Paul. The sophomore has an exclusive skill set handling the ball, but if he can flourish his pull up mid and 3 point range game you will see something exceptional. In addition to this, his build is significantly distinct to most point guards in his class, as his upper body physique is discernibly sizable along with his monster quads. Pickerington Central has something unique in Juwan Turner
—Trey Majidzadeh: The Olentangy Liberty guard is a true floor general. He is so good at controlling the tempo of games and hitting shots at the right time. Definitely one of the most underrated guys and one of the better players in Delaware County
—Davion Bridges: The Northland guard will snag a rebound above 6-foot defenders, and plays a ferocious brand of on-ball defense. He can attack the basket at will against anyone. The junior still has room to grow as he’s at around 5’10. This kid has immaculate potential
—Devonte Curry: He has really emerged as one of the top scorers in all of Ohio. The Briggs’ guard can put up points in a hurry, he put up over 40 in his last two contests. He needs to be getting more interest from colleges, he does have an offer from a JUCO, but we think he’s better than that
—Cole Rhett: The Bishop Watterson big man is looking to lead the Eagles to the elite 8 for the second year in a row despite losing a good class of seniors in 21’. Cole is extremely talented on the block, but let him develop a post fade and it’s over. For his size, he moves extremely well, similar to the likes of St. Charles’ big man Chase Walker
—Ajay Sheldon: He is an amazing scorer, one of the best in the area at just getting buckets. He has a wide arsenal of moves in his bag and uses them effectively to score at all three levels. He is committed to Ohio, which is a perfect place for him to get his game off
—Bryden Hodge: The acrobatic young buck can simply get a bucket anytime he wants. When he is in the air there’s not much anyone can do to stop him. Let the freshman continue to blossom and the Walnut Ridge Scots might just be waiting on another Mr. Basketball in the class of 2025
—Cooper Davis: Davis has really come around as of late, he is playing his best ball and is only getting better by the game. He is scoring over 20 in nearly every game now. He is clutch as well, he hit a game-winning buzzer beater the other night. His stellar play helped lead the Patriots to the No. 10 seed
—Bede Lori: The kid is striving for 2000 points as a junior… that should tell you all you need to know, but if you want more then here you go… He’s a 6’3 guard who will always have the highest IQ on the court. Bede is complementary to the similarities of “White Chocolate” Jason Williams, through his variety of ways to facilitate his teammates the ball and score at will. Aside from Bede, his cousin Jett Lori has a nice three point shot too as they’ve combined for more than 50 points at least 5 times this season. The two have marvelous chemistry as if they’ve been playing with each other their whole life… Unpretentiously, the Caldwell Redskins are going to be a problem in Division IV of the OSHAA Basketball Tournament
—Samuel Johnson: Worthington Christian has a unique character in the 6’6, 205 lb. big man. The sophomore is immensely dominant in the paint. With an exclusive load of athleticism blended with savvy ball handling, colleges would be foolish to miss out on him. Next year, I discern Sam breakthroughs with at least 25 points and 10 boards a game
—Cade Norris: He is so smooth for a sophomore. He’s a great leader and is one of the better shooters of the rock in Central Ohio. The epitome of a coaches son. He should follow in the steps of his brothers, who both play ball in college
—Maurice McCall: The Columbus South guard has his game charted after the late alumni Trevell Adams. Maurice is exceedingly talented with his off-dribble 3 point pull up. I foresee him to have a tremendous advancement in his driving and handling abilities heading into junior year. This presents the reality that the Bulldogs might just be a problem in the City League for the next couple years, and the modern stage of the South vs. Walnut Ridge rivalry is here
—Will Maxwell: The Oakwood junior has a pure stroke mingled with tremendous hops that will leave you in a state of wonderment. He’s already racked up offers from Ohio, Akron, Kent State, and Toledo. Will is gritty and determined; never with his hands down on defense, and superb transition flow when alternating sides of the ball. This rare kind of individual is one I would advise colleges like Ohio State to not miss out on
—RJ Greer: The youngster has a vigorous flair, varied with phenomenal driving capability. The freshman put up 22 against the reigning state champions Centerville, his season high. RJ can essentially play every position, yet he’s hardly scratched the surface of his capabilities. You can say this kid has Immaculate Potential.
—Steele Meister: The Newark forward has a unique set of skills that will surprise you. First off he plays tremendous team basketball, and can essentially play every position now for the Wildcats as he's undoubtedly the bulkiest player on the team. We are ecstatic to watch the progression Steele will make with teammates Grant Burkholder and Ethan Stare next year
—Tyler Kropp: With his height and physique, Tyler has superb potential. His game seems to be hindered at the moment, as this year he hasn’t seen the court very much. Next year I foresee a tremendous boost in his confidence and athleticism. Perhaps the youngster can propel the Patriots back to the Final 4, where they were led by Ohio forward Ben Roderick
D1 COLUMBUS DISTRICT BRACKET SYNOPSIS:
—Sectional Semifinals Start On Feb. 22
—Sectional Finals Start on Feb. 25
—District Semifinals Start on March 2
—District Finals Start on March 5
COLUMBUS 1
Gahanna Lincoln is obviously the favorite to win the district finals
St. Charles has some exciting players, we can see them making a good run to the District Finals
COLUMBUS 2
This district is so loaded with talent
Pickerington North and Newark is likely going to be the District Final
Upper Arlington has quietly had a solid year, earning the No. 7 seed is impressive. They aren’t as explosive as previous UA teams, but they are still really good
Reynoldsburg is a sleeper with an abundance of young talent
COLUMBUS 3
There’s a great chance we get a Liberty vs Orange District Semifinal
Pickerington Central should cruise through this region
Would love to get a 2nd round Delaware Hayes vs Big Walnut matchup (they split the regular season matchups)
COLUMBUS 4
Westerville South is the favorite, but don’t sleep on Dublin Jerome, Hilliard Davidson or Westerville North
Thomas Worthington vs Westerville Central is such an intriguing first round matchup (winner gets a date with Westerville South)
Predicted District Final: Westerville South vs Dublin Jerome
D1 POWER RANKINGS:
Here is Who We Think is Most Likely To Win The Division I State Championship. Feel Free To Click That Button And Share Your Thoughts. Who Do You Think Will Win It All?
SEAN’S RANKINGS:
Centerville
Pickerington Central
Gahanna Lincoln
Westerville South
Lakewood St. Edward
Pickerington North
Cincinnati Elder
Brecksville-Broadview Hts
Brush
Sylvania Northview
Archbishop Moeller
Lima Senior
Walnut Hills
Dover
Kettering Fairmont
If I had to pick a team to win the state title, I would choose Centerville. Yes, I think they will repeat even though it is such a difficult feat. The undefeated Elks are continuing to build on last season’s championship run and have spent much of the season ranked atop the AP State Poll. Gabe Cupps has the winning gene, he is such a special leader. He will be special for the Hoosiers. I have enough faith that he will be able to take them to glory again. There are a few teams from Central Ohio that could give them a run for their money: Pickerington Central, Gahanna Lincoln, Westerville South and Pickerington North
If I had to pick a team from Central Ohio to win it all, I’d choose Pickerington Central and then Gahanna Lincoln. It’s so close to being a 1A-1B situation, both teams are so skilled and so fun to watch. I give the edge to Pick Central because they have slightly more talent and won the head-to-head regular season matchup 58-53 on Jan. 8
Don’t get me wrong, Gahanna Lincoln is more than capable of winning it all, it’ll just be difficult after districts. Central Ohio just has a massive abundance of talent and good teams. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Sean Jones holding the state championship trophy. The Lions should be able to win their district, considering the next highest seeded team in their region is #9 Hilliard Bradley (they can catch teams sleeping). If they win their district, then they will likely face Westerville South, assuming they also come out of theirs
Westerville South isn’t getting the respect that they deserve this season. What more do they have to do? They haven’t lost a game yet. I know they aren’t as flashy as the team that won the state title, but they know how to get the job done. They are as well coached as anyone. They have all the tools. The Wildcats are my dark horse to win it all
***
JUSTIN’S RANKINGS:
Gahanna Lincoln
Pickerington Central
Centerville
Pickerington North
Lakewood St. Edward
Cincinnati Elder
St. Ignatius
Brush
Westerville South
Walnut Hills
Brecksville-Broadview Hts
Sylvania Northview
Archbishop Moeller
Solon
Uniontown Green
With the addition of Joshua Whiteside, they have one of the most talented frontcourts in the state. Incorporate that frontcourt with the skill of Sean Jones and you get a state title contender. They are my pick to win it all
Pickerington North has one of the best senior classes in the state and that is why I like them just as much, if not more than Pickerington Central. One of their weaknesses is their lack of post play, which is something Pick Central has no problem of
St. Ignatius comes in with the hardest schedule of any team by far, that’s why they are 9-9. They have wins over multiple California teams (Moreau Catholic and Serra Gardena). Ace Buckner is one of the most tenacious point guards in the state, as a sophomore. He holds only one offer at the moment from Cleveland State. Overall this team is the most underrated in the state, which is why I hold them above Westerville South who is undefeated with their best win against Dublin Jerome
MISCELLANEOUS DIVISION 2 NOTES:
Sean: Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary is ranked No. 1 in the D2 AP Poll for a reason. They are 14-3 and are coming off of a huge road win at Brush (No. 9 in D1 AP Poll) on Feb. 7. They are without a doubt the favorites to come out of D2. Their only losses came to Centerville, Pickerington North and Sierra Canyon (California). The Irish have some of the best wins of anyone in the state with victories over Gahanna Lincoln, Archbishop Moeller, Walsh Jesuit, Brush, St. Ignatius and Akron Archbishop Hoban. That is insane for a D2 team, they would do just fine even if they moved up to D1. Sencire Harris is the next great SVSM guard, he is in the running for Ohio’s Mr. Basketball
JR: Toledo Central Catholic is my favorite to win the state championship in D2. Chico “Bean” Johnson is Generational. If he can master his shooting, the pure slasher will be unstoppable. Next year, he could be an early candidate for Mr. Ohio Basketball Player of the Year
Africentric has some players that’s for sure. The Nubians are led by potential all-state players Dailyn Swain and Dan Wagner. They have scored over 90 points multiple times, so the offense can be explosive against lesser competition. They did get their teeth kicked in against Pickerington Central, losing 86-54 on Jan. 29, but that’s because Pickerington Central is one of the best D1 teams and there’s levels to the game
CENTRAL OHIO GIRLS HOOPS RUNDOWN:
We’ll start off the girls basketball section of this notebook by talking about Chloe Jeffers, the best basketball player in Delaware County. She just got nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Game, that’s how special she is. She has carried the Pacers to a 17-4 record and has them tied for first in the OCC-Capital with Westerville South. The Butler commit [Chloe] scores at will, she is churning out 21.3 points per game. Jeffers does most of the creating for the Pacers, but they are more than a one-man team, Sophie Midura is also putting up over double digits with 10.5ppg. Hayes has won 13 of 14 and we expect them to make a big tournament run
Reynoldsburg is one of the best girls teams in the state, they have absolutely dominated their competition on the way to a 17-2 record. They beat Pickerington Central early on in the season. Their only losses came to two out-of-state teams. They have played one of the toughest schedules in the state. They are led by senior Imarianah Russell, who is averaging nearly 25 points per game. This team has it all. With the addition of Trinity Ramos I see absolutely nobody getting in the way of a Raiders run to the final 4. Mya Perry, Imarianah Russell, and Makiya Miller are practically unstoppable when on the court together. They provide exceptional leadership for young players like Aubree Price who we envision having a breakout year next season. Reynoldsburg Women’s Basketball is well on its way to becoming a perennial state power
Dublin Coffman’s lone loss came to Pickerington Central in its second game of the season. Since then, they have blown the doors off of their opponents. They are 19-1. Only one game has been within single digits. Tessa Grady is their best player
The Granville Blue Aces have put together a phenomenal season behind the play of junior Ella Wigal. She is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. She scores on one end and then forces turnovers on the other. Wigal is all about making hustle plays. Granville looked like they were cruising towards an undefeated season until Watkins Memorial beat them by 13 on Jan. 31. They are good enough to make a solid run
Pickerington Central is 15-6, but they are better than their record indicates. They have played the toughest schedule of anyone in the state, with losses early in the season to Florida powerhouses Montverde and IMG Academy. They have so much talent with Madison Greene (16.2ppg), Berry Wallace (14.1ppg) and Olivia Cooper (10.2ppg) leading the charge. They should be able to go far
Thank you for reading this notebook, it was a joy to see it all come together. Once I had the idea, I knew I had to execute it and it came out better than I could have imagined. I hope to release some more feature stories on here in the coming months. The Luke Bolte Story got the most views I’ve ever gotten on a story. Stay tuned for what’s next…
Once again, thank you to JR and Max for helping me create this all-encompassing playoff notebook
Feel free to leave a comment and/or subscribe to Sean’s Sports Beat. Contact me with story tips at sblevin4@kent.edu or 614-572-6739