Divisional Realignment in Dayton
Earlier this month, the OHSAA announced the Divisional alignments for boys’ basketball in 2017-18. Several of the alignments affected Dayton area high schools. Here is a breakdown of those divisional changes.
Division I– The only change here is Franklin moves from DII to DI. The Wildcats have seen great postseason success in the past 5 years, including a Regional runner-up in 2015. However, last season the Wildcats lost their tournament opener to Fenwick. Although DII basketball in Dayton is very tough, DI is just as hard and the Wildcats will be tested. But with a strong backcourt of Payton Knott and Ryan Montgomery, Franklin should be able to make some noise in the postseason.
Division II– 3 teams moves down from D1 to D2 next year. West Carrollton, Bellefontaine, and Greenville. Of the 3, only Bellefontaine has made a run farther than the District round in the past 5 years. West Carrollton looks to improve after a rough 0-23 record last year. Greenville lost several key players, including Aaron Rich and Isaiah Gable from last year, but the Green Wave still have enough back to pull an upset or two come postseason time. Bellefontaine is the most interesting move because they now are positioned in a Division with several other conference rivals. Most of the schools in the Central Buckeye Conference are Division II schools with the exception of Bellefontaine. Now the Chieftans are back and ready to match up with whoever they face.
From DIII, Northwestern and Northridge move up to D2 next season. Of the two, Northridge has had the most recent postseason success with a deep tournament run back in 2015-16. Since then though, the Polar Bears have struggled, including a 6-17 record last season. Northridge, led by Twon Hines will look to make a run in an upgraded division starting this season.
Division III– Waynesville, Madison, and Indian Lake move down from DII to DIII next season. Madison and their sophomore sensation Grant Whisman have a legitimate chance to be a contender within the Division. With 4 of their top 5 scorers from last year returning, the Mohawks will be a competitive team come next March.
From DIV, Twin Valley South, Troy Christian, and Houston move down divisions for next year. Of the 3, the team to watch is Troy Christian. With double-double machine James Anderson leading the Eagles into next season after an 17-8 campaign last year, TC has a chance to do even better in DIII.
Division IV– Franklin-Monroe is the only changed team as the Jets move up from DIII last year. The Jets lost several players through graduation, but they return one of the top players in Dayton in Ethan Conley. FM had an early exit from the postseason last year, but they should win a few more games come March next season.
Best Change– This is a tie between Madison and Franklin-Monroe. With the Mohawks returning so much talent from last year, it is hard to imagine them struggling while moving down from such a tough division. For Franklin-Monroe, with Tri-Village losing so much talent from last year, it opens the door for the Jets to take over the title as the “Top team in DIV” for next season. Conley will be a name to watch for them.
Worst Change– West Carrollton definitely got hit hard with this change. Although D1 is a tough bracket to get through, DII might be just as tough with Dunbar, Trotwood, Alter, and C-J among others calling the division home. Plus returning from an 0-23 season will put more pressure on the Pirates to succeed and show improvement.
Earlier this month, the OHSAA announced the Divisional alignments for boys’ basketball in 2017-18. Several of the alignments affected Dayton area high schools. Here is a breakdown of those divisional changes.
Division I– The only change here is Franklin moves from DII to DI. The Wildcats have seen great postseason success in the past 5 years, including a Regional runner-up in 2015. However, last season the Wildcats lost their tournament opener to Fenwick. Although DII basketball in Dayton is very tough, DI is just as hard and the Wildcats will be tested. But with a strong backcourt of Payton Knott and Ryan Montgomery, Franklin should be able to make some noise in the postseason.
Division II– 3 teams moves down from D1 to D2 next year. West Carrollton, Bellefontaine, and Greenville. Of the 3, only Bellefontaine has made a run farther than the District round in the past 5 years. West Carrollton looks to improve after a rough 0-23 record last year. Greenville lost several key players, including Aaron Rich and Isaiah Gable from last year, but the Green Wave still have enough back to pull an upset or two come postseason time. Bellefontaine is the most interesting move because they now are positioned in a Division with several other conference rivals. Most of the schools in the Central Buckeye Conference are Division II schools with the exception of Bellefontaine. Now the Chieftans are back and ready to match up with whoever they face.
From DIII, Northwestern and Northridge move up to D2 next season. Of the two, Northridge has had the most recent postseason success with a deep tournament run back in 2015-16. Since then though, the Polar Bears have struggled, including a 6-17 record last season. Northridge, led by Twon Hines will look to make a run in an upgraded division starting this season.
Division III– Waynesville, Madison, and Indian Lake move down from DII to DIII next season. Madison and their sophomore sensation Grant Whisman have a legitimate chance to be a contender within the Division. With 4 of their top 5 scorers from last year returning, the Mohawks will be a competitive team come next March.
From DIV, Twin Valley South, Troy Christian, and Houston move down divisions for next year. Of the 3, the team to watch is Troy Christian. With double-double machine James Anderson leading the Eagles into next season after an 17-8 campaign last year, TC has a chance to do even better in DIII.
Division IV– Franklin-Monroe is the only changed team as the Jets move up from DIII last year. The Jets lost several players through graduation, but they return one of the top players in Dayton in Ethan Conley. FM had an early exit from the postseason last year, but they should win a few more games come March next season.
Best Change– This is a tie between Madison and Franklin-Monroe. With the Mohawks returning so much talent from last year, it is hard to imagine them struggling while moving down from such a tough division. For Franklin-Monroe, with Tri-Village losing so much talent from last year, it opens the door for the Jets to take over the title as the “Top team in DIV” for next season. Conley will be a name to watch for them.
Worst Change– West Carrollton definitely got hit hard with this change. Although D1 is a tough bracket to get through, DII might be just as tough with Dunbar, Trotwood, Alter, and C-J among others calling the division home. Plus returning from an 0-23 season will put more pressure on the Pirates to succeed and show improvement.