The Favorites: Division II
Based on program cultures and talent, we believe there are six teams in Division II that should be considered the favorites to make it down to The Schott for the Final Four. If any of these teams win the State Championship, it would come as no surprise.
Cincinnati Hughes
Hughes went undefeated in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference a season ago, finishing 20-4 overall. However, they were upset by Taft, a conference opponent, in the Division II District semifinal. Their most significant loss is Corry Long, who is now at Stony Brook.
However, Hughes added another piece to their backcourt via transfer this offseason with Dominic “DJ” Brewton coming over from Mount Healthy. Brewton has experience playing with last year’s new addition, senior point guard Giovanni Santiago, as the two tore it up for Team One Phenoms during the grassroots season. Both Santuago and Brewton can play at a fast pace, which is the style we fully expect for Hughes to implement. Come tournament time, Hughes will really need Arian “AJ” Smith to hold his own on the boards, as they lack in size.
Wauseon
Wauseon made it all the way to the Division II State Championship game and they return their best player in Austin Rotroff. The 6’9” Duquesne commit should have the offense ran through him even more with the graduation of their point guard and leading scorer Carter Bzovi. As he proved during the Indians’ Final Four appearance, Rotroff is more than capable of dominating a game around the rim. Defensive instincts, quickness, and length, allow Rotroff to defend the basket at a high level. Also, watch out for the emergence of Brooks Gype this season. He’ll likely have an expanded role. Gype also plays off Rotroff well because of his back-cutting and spot-up shooting from the corner.
Bishop Hartley
They’re returning to the floor after being ousted early in the playoffs by Linden-McKinley, despite being the #4 seed in Division II in Central Ohio.
Hartley should be optimistic heading into this season though. They have two Division I quality prospects at the wing, with senior Garrett Tipton and junior Morgan Safford. Both guys are pure scorers who play with an edge. On any given night, these two could combine for 50. Finding production from other players on the roster could be their downfall however.
Eastmoor Academy
The Warriors of EA represented Columbus last season in the Division II Final Four. They enter this season as the obvious favorite to do it again after graduating only one starter in Zion Parham.
EA is lengthy, fast, and athletic. Taevion Kinsey, a Division I recruit, spearheads their team as the primary ball-handler. Kinsey is as competitive as he is athletic, bringing it on both ends and being electric in the open court. Kinsey is surrounded by a lot of experience this season, with plenty of fellow 2018 graduates in the rotation. Tripp Hopkins can shoot it and is a reliable secondary ball-handler. Tariq Brown provides defensive flexibility and size on the wing. Also, their post play is formidable with the gritty Tim Smith and ever-improving Stanley Williams.
Proctorville Fairland
Last season, Fairland’s all-junior starting lineup was strong enough to take them to the Division III State Semifinals. They only lost twice all season and scored 73.5 points per game.
Now that those guys are seniors, Fairland should be even scarier this year, despite moving up from Division III. They play with four players around the perimeter, surrounding their nimble 6’8” center Kollin Van Horn. They’re backcourt is balanced, with a mixture of slashers and shooters in Ty Staten, Luke Thomas, Isaiah Howell, and Gunner Short. They also bring in super-sub Keedrick Cunningham off the bench, who is a physical player on the drive. We fully expect Fairland to be the best team in Southeast Ohio once again in 2017-18.
Holy Name
Holy Name lost 6’8” center Malique Burton and 5’11” guard Sean Hickey to graduation after going 23-2 last season.
That just means more responsibility for Dayton commit Dwayne Cohill. Cohill can do it all, averaging 22.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 steals last year. We expect Holy Name to play a fast pace this season with Cohill’s ability to go coast-to-coast and dominate stretches with one-man fastbreak opportunities. Also, Cohill will likely elevate his teammates once again, with guards like Joe Schmock and Quentin Richardson emerging as complimentary pieces.