Preseason First Team All State: Division IV
There’s plenty of Division I and Division II quality college prospects in Ohio’s lowest level of high school basketball. Whether it’s in small towns or less attended private schools, there’s plenty of players at this level of high school basketball that are worth spending a couple hours on a Friday night watching.
Based on the last couple seasons and how we see 2017-18 shaping up, here’s our ten players that we expect to comprise First Team All State in Division IV this season. (Players are in alphabetical order.)
Mike Bothwell
Bothwell was the Division IV Player of the Year as sophomore and can be considered a sure thing on this season’s team. It will be the Furman commit’s third consecutive season earning these honors. Cornerstone Christian may be the most talented Division IV team that didn’t get moved up a division this season.
Ethan Conley
Come tournament time, Franklin Monroe is a team to watch in Southwest Ohio’s Division IV class. Conley, a 6’5” versatile wing, will score the ball at a high level as an upperclassman. He has a variety of moves in the mid-range, where he’s able to face-up or blow by defenders.
Javin Etzler
One of the top junior prospects in Ohio gives Crestview a chance to be pretty good this season. They have good size and should have a record well over .500. Etzler poses all kind of matchup problems, as the 6’7” wing can attack from the perimeter or get buckets inside.
Zeb Jackson
Even as a sophomore, Jackson should put up the type of scoring numbers that warrant a First Team selection. The Maumee Valley offense runs through their young point guard, who can shoot it with range and draw separation on anyone. The Hawks could be around 15 regular season wins.
Jared Jakubick
Last season’s Division IV Player of the Year is an obvious selection. Mansfield St. Peter’s has a strong senior class, allowing Jakubick to out-muscle opposing guards in one-on-one situations. Jakubick will lead a team that could leave the season ranked #1 in Division IV in the AP State Poll.
Lukas Isaly
Isaly nearly cracked First Team All State in Division III last season after averaging 22 points per game for Hannibal River. The two-sport athlete simply has to maintain his numbers to snag these honors as a senior.
Mark Mayle
Malvern should rely on their big man even more this season with the graduation of Jaret Majestic. Mayle can hit spot up jumpers from the outside or control games as a low-post scorer. With increased scoring opportunities, Mayle should easily be around 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for a competitive Malvern team.
Dillon McCullough
At a new school in Tri County North, McCullough should thrive in their point guard role. He has good court vision and passing as a 6’3” point guard. We also expect him to have strong scoring numbers.
Zach Rasile
Our second sophomore on the list is almost guaranteed to be over 20 points per game, as Rasile usually racks numbers up three points at a time. Rasile has plenty of scoring opportunities in an overpowering McDonald offense that was regarded as one of the top teams in Division IV last season.