Some Team Season Surprises So Far in Central Ohio Basketball
Central Ohio has been known to possess some powerhouse teams that seem to contend for Districts and Regions every season. This year a few teams accustomed to winning weren’t predicted to run away with their divisions like usual. We take a…
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Continue ReadingCentral Ohio has been known to possess some powerhouse teams that seem to contend for Districts and Regions every season. This year a few teams accustomed to winning weren’t predicted to run away with their divisions like usual. We take a look at the current status of a few quality programs that are surprising many with their performances this season:
Northland – The much more mild, initial surprise is the overall record of 12-1 so far this season. A more interesting piece of information concerning the Vikings is the huge upset win versus Upper Arlington. My personal choice for the biggest surprise in Northland Basketball this year is not the fact that they are winning, but HOW they are winning. Most Northland teams of late have had at least one high major Division one recruit at their disposal. This edition doesn’t look to have that, but has a very high level of depth none the less. A legitimate twelve man rotation of quality players that contains a diverse, versatile group of kids. Jejuan Weatherspoon, Gabe Towns, Dishon Daniels, William Mfum, and more lead a talented crew of Division 1 & 2 recruits. As usual, they will be a tough out come tournament time.
Columbus South – In a City League South Division that by many was designated to be up for grabs, the Bulldogs seem to have taken the bull by the horns and are seemingly in route to take it home. With a 14-0 record, South has gotten off to an amazing start. The basis of their success seems to be a tough, gritty, bulldog-like style of tenacious defense and game play in general. South has ten players who average between four and nine point per game and another in Burelle Thompson scoring more than that. The leader in scoring is super sophomore Treohn Watkins. Tre is a guard who has all the tools and has hit several clutch shots already this year. South could go extremely far in the upcoming tournament.
Newark – Every year the demise of Coach Quackenbush is predicted to happen and no matter the roster, the Wildcats find a way to produce quality teams that can beat anyone at anytime. At 14-0 so far this season, Newark looks primed to go on another tournament run this post-season behind a deep roster of talent. BJ Duling gives them a base as the scoring leader, but the team has four other players between nine and thirteen point per game in JT Shumate, Jakim Murphy, Kobe Long-Weber, and Keaton Jones. Another group of five players average between four and seven points per game providing production as needed to win.
JeJuan Weatherspoon of Northland H.S.
photo: 270hoops.com