5 questions for the 2016-17 season: Division III
As we look ahead to the 2016-17 season, here’s a quick preview of Division III in Northeast Ohio: Offseason overview 1) Who will be the best local team in Division III? Few local teams will be better positioned to make…
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Continue ReadingAs we look ahead to the 2016-17 season, here’s a quick preview of Division III in Northeast Ohio:
Offseason overview
1) Who will be the best local team in Division III?
Few local teams will be better positioned to make a deep postseason run than Villa Angela-St. Joseph. Although, the Vikings will again lose several key contributors, they’ll have a solid core back, led by guard Jerry Higgins and big man Alonzo Gaffney. This is a state title contender again.
2) Who will be the best player in Division III?
There isn’t a better player locally in Division III than junior guard Jerry Higgins. He came into his own as the season went on as a scorer, distributor, and leader. Assuming he takes a step forward with another offseason under his belt, Higgins will be one of the best guards in the area regardless of division.
3) Who will be the sleeper team in Division IV?
Few teams will be losing a better senior class than Beachwood, which will be graduating almost all of its scoring from this past season. But under coach Matt Miller, the Bisons have proven to be a steady program. It was just two seasons ago that the team also graduated a dynamic senior class, and Beachwood found itself back in the district title game.
4) Who is the sleeper player in Division IV?
Another team to keep an eye on next year is Gilmour, and that’s partially because of the development of rising senior guard Jackson Clark. He gives the Lancers scoring and defense, while also doing a good job finding his teammates. He’s a name worth knowing going forward.
5) So who wins the local Division III districts?
We should see a repeat performance in Division III as Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Oberlin are likely to defend their district titles. Oberlin is a dangerous team that gets better by the day it seems. These two teams might meet in a regional final.