Dayton Top 15
Photo Credit: Marc Pendleton This season has been a big year for Dayton High School hoops. With the postseason now upon us, I have ranked the top 15 teams in Dayton this year. Trotwood-Madison (20-2)– Trotwood was by…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Credit: Marc Pendleton
This season has been a big year for Dayton High School hoops. With the postseason now upon us, I have ranked the top 15 teams in Dayton this year.
- Trotwood-Madison (20-2)– Trotwood was by far the top team in Dayton this year. Led by seniors Torrey Patton and Amir Foster, the Rams won the GWOC South division with only one loss in league play against a good Sidney team 69-67. The only other loss for the Rams was against Prolific Prep out of California. Some of their key wins include a 39 point win against Akron St.Vincent-St.Mary, 9 point win against fellow Dayton powerhouse Dunbar, and a 15 point win against Springfield. Amari Davis and Myles Belyeu are two underclassmen that return next season to lead the Rams. It is no surprise Trotwood received the number one seed in Dayton for Division II.
- Springfield (19-3)- Springfield was the top Division 1 team this year and if not for a loss against Trotwood a few weeks ago, could have been argued as the top team in Dayton. Led by guards Michael McKay and Danny Davis, the Wildcats finished first in the GWOC East division this season. Some of their key wins include Centerville (twice), Wayne (twice), and Columbus Northland. They also have losses against Trotwood-Madison and Cincinnati Moeller by 3 points. The Wildcats lose Davis and McKay, but return big man Leonard Taylor next season. Springfield received the number one seed in Dayton this postseason and begins tournament play against Tecumseh on Friday.
- Dunbar (19-3)- Dunbar is led by several underclassmen that helped guide the Wolverines to a Dayton City League championship this year. The Wolverines went undefeated in league play and were led by juniors Caleb McConnell and Devon Baker and seniors Storm Cook and Chris Jackson. Dunbar was given the number two seed in Division II in Dayton this postseason. They begin tournament play on Friday against Bellbrook. Keep an eye on the Wolverines in the playoffs, for they may be the only team capable of beating number one seeded Trotwood this year.
- Northmont (18-4)- If there was an award for most improved team, it would belong to the Thunderbolts. Northmont turned a 12-11 record in 2016, into a 18-4 record this year and a GWOC West championship. The T-Bolts are led by seniors Rodney Richardson and Vinson Walker. Northmont’s best wins were against Wayne 81-80 in overtime and 53-48 at Cincinnati Elder. Northmont will await the winner of Butler and Stebbins, and face them on March 1st to begin their tournament run.
- Alter (19-3)- The GCL North champions finished off a great regular season by defeating league rival Chaminade-Julienne 68-49 to win the league title. The Knights start multiple seniors, including Dominic Laravie, who is arguably one of the top scorers in the Dayton area. This experience has allowed the Knights to be competitive in every game they have played this season, even in their losses. Although the Knights have losses against nationally ranked Moeller and a strong Dublin Coffman team, they also have wins against quality Division I teams, including Cincinnati St. Xavier, Middletown, Springboro, and Fairmont. The Knights begin tournament play March 1st against either Meadowdale or Carroll.
- Versailles (22-1)- Versailles is by far the best Division III team in Dayton this year. Led by Ohio State commit Justin Ahrens, the Tigers have knocked off all but one team they faced all season. The only team that defeated them was Dunbar, 79-70. Their other quality wins include Tippecanoe, Tri-Village, Lima Central Catholic, Urbana, and Greenville. Not only are the Tigers the best DIII school in Dayton, but they just may be the best in the state as well. They begin their road to Columbus on Friday against Milton-Union.
- Sidney (17-5)- Sidney was the GWOC North Champions this season. Led by sophomore Andre Gordon, the Yellow Jackets earned the number four seed in Division I. Sidney was the only team in Ohio to defeat Trotwood-Madison, and was very successful against other GWOC opponents. Gordon, one of the top players in the state, was one of the top scorers in the conference. Sidney will be a team to watch in the future as long as Gordon is playing there. The Yellow Jackets have a tough opening game this postseason as they face Greenville on Saturday.
- Centerville (14-8)- Centerville was runner-ups in the GWOC East this season behind Springfield. The Elks were competitive in every game they played. In fact, besides their loss to Trotwood, Centerville lost every game against Ohio competition by 8 or less points. The Elks were led by seniors Keegan Saben and Sam Lash. Centerville was given the number five seed in Dayton in Division I, and they are playing some of their best basketball right now. The Elks have won 4 of their last 5 games entering this postseason and two of those wins have included Cincinnati Taft and Wayne. Centerville starts postseason play Friday against Piqua.
- Wayne (14-8)- This season had its ups and downs for the Warriors. Injuries hurt them especially late in the season and a third place finish in the GWOC East is the best they were able to do. L’Christian Smith and former Tecumseh star Darius Quisenberry helped lead the Warriors this season. The Warriors have several impressive wins including Lima Senior and Centerville. However, they struggled against other elite teams including: Springfield (twice), Cleveland Heights, Northmont, and Centerville. If the Warriors stay healthy this postseason, they have a good chance to make a run through the district tournament. The Warriors will play the winner of Miamisburg and Lebanon on February 28th.
- Franklin (18-4)- The first team mentioned out of the SWBL, the Southwestern division champions certainly deserve their spot at #10 in Dayton. After a 15-1 start, the Wildcats went 3-3 in the month of February, including a heartbreaking overtime loss at Edgewood. There is no reason to worry though, for head coach Brian Bales is one of the best in the area and will have the Wildcats ready to play in the postseason. Some of their biggest wins include: Brookville (twice), Carlisle, and Valley View (twice). Franklin will face Fenwick on Saturday to start tournament play.
- Bethel (18-3)- Bethel was the champions of the Cross County Conference this season and the second best Dayton team in Division III. The Bees took losses against Fairmont, Roger Bacon, and Northmont during the season, however they also defeated several quality opponents as well. These teams included: Carroll, Troy Christian, Stivers, and Tri-Village. The Bees were led by junior Caleb South who is one of the best in Ohio in his class. Bethel will face the winner of National Trail and Arcanum on March 1st to start their postseason.
- Xenia (15-7)- The Buccaneers tied for second in the GWOC South with Fairborn. After a 5-5 start to the season, Xenia has won 10 of their last 12 games and are one of the hottest teams in Dayton right now. The Buccaneers have arguably the best player in the sophomore class in Samari Curtis and will be future favorites with him on their roster. The Buccaneers open up tournament play against Fairmont on Friday. Keep an eye on Xenia this postseason as they may pull an upset or two.
- Brookville (18-3)- Brookville finished second in the SWBL Southwestern division behind Franklin. The Blue Devils are the third best Dayton team in Division III and for good reason. Besides losing two games against Franklin and one against Valley View, Brookville excelled this season, including victories against Franklin Monroe, Carlisle, and Dixie. The good news for the Blue Devils is all three of their losses were against Division II schools. Being in Division III, Brookville has a great chance to make a run this postseason. The Blue Devils face Northridge on Saturday in their first postseason game.
- Southeastern (21-1)- Southeastern was the winners of the Ohio Heritage Conference and the number one ranked Division IV team in Dayton. Besides a 2 point loss against Tri-Village their second game of the season, the Trojans have defeated several strong opponents and are currently on a 20 game winning streak. Their wins include: Springfield Shawnee, Urbana, and Greeneview (twice). I expect the Trojans to continue their winning ways in the postseason, and I expect them to make it into the Reginal round. The Trojans face Yellow Springs on Saturday.
- Carlisle (17-5)- Carlisle rounds out the top 15 teams in Dayton. Led by Justin Flor and Adam Goodpastor, the Indians tied for first in the SWBL Buckeye Division. Carlisle struggled against teams at the top of the league, but those losses have prepared them for the postseason. Carlisle faces Anna on Saturday to start their postseason.
Next Four In
-Tri-Village (15-7)
-Greenville (13-9)
-Bellefontaine (17-5)
-Russia (14-5)