Way Too Early 2019-20 Division I Top Ten

Does anyone else miss high school basketball? It's not that we're not enjoying the grassroots season — in fact, we love the grassroots season. We do, however, catch ourselves looking ahead to the 2019-20 season, wondering who is poised for a magical season? Considering the on-paper talent and what we know about these programs, we've put together a top ten for Division I. It's a loose listing of the top big schools with notes on why they should succeed next season. It's not a definitive prediction of who will finish atop their respective regions. Also, we're putting it out before most kids have transferred and competitive balance changes have been announced — so it's flawed. Flawed, but (hopefully) fun. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Bradley</h3> A starting five of Matt Allocco, AJ Mirgon, Keaton Norris, Chris Mayfield, and Jack Pugh seems likely. That's a pretty damn good group. Lesser-known pieces off the bench aren't of too much concern — they succeeded last season with a short bench and should be able to groom role players in the offseason. Their physicality, attention to detail, defensive principles, preparation — all of the qualities that Bradley is known for — will all be elite, once again. Senior leadership from Allocco will be instrumental. Outside shooting from Mirgon and Norris should open up the floor for the other three starters, who prefer to slash. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Centerville</h3> Rising senior Mo Njie, a 6-foot-9 center, is Centerville's only returner who contributed to their 18-game winning streak last season. So, why are they in this article? First of all, maybe we're dumb. Ever consider that? But seriously, let me justify this. Mo is a heck of a ball player and his impact will be even greater next season. The defensive anchor allows their other four players to pressure the ball and take chances in passing lanes. Mo, however, will need help on offense, even if Centerville can win several games scoring in the high-40s. The intrigue with Centerville is in their rising juniors, sophomores, and one incoming freshman, Gabe Cupps, son of head coach Brook Cupps. Gabe should make an immediate impact in their backcourt, considering the void left by the 2019 class. Also, rising sophomores Kebba Njie (brother of Mo) and Rich Rolf are two of the most talented 2022 forwards in Ohio. Considering their collegiate talent across the board — no matter how young — and coaching advantage, we're taking Centerville as the best D-I team in Dayton next year. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Lima Senior</h3> Lima is an obvious choice. Although outgoing seniors Jaleel King and Amihr Curtis provided leadership last season, the skills they brought to the table should be quickly replaced by guys like Camren Miles, Jadakis Mack, and others who will play a larger role. Led by reigning conference player of the year Josiah Fulcher and Jamir Simpson, the Spartans are poised to breeze through the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. Rising sophomore point guard Khalil Luster gained valuable experience in last season's regional final run, too. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Mentor</h3> Experienced guard play. Three returning starters, and five returning contributors who will fit together. Legendary coach with a championship pedigree. Collegiate talent. Last but not least, they probably feel like they left something on the table last season — a feeling that leads to true hunger. Mentor is one of three Northeast Ohio programs in our top ten and they may very well be the best one. With the backcourt of Lukes, Chicone and Floriea, orchestrating their run, the Cardinals will be a buzzsaw next season. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Moeller</h3> It's hard to imagine this Moeller group will be better than their last two teams, both of which won the State Championship. But, rising senior Max Land and their collection of 2021 talent will still overwhelm most opponents. Their strength should be size. Skilled, athletic forwards headline their roster: Land (6-foot-4), Alex Williams (6-foot-4), Logan Duncomb (6-foot-8), and Will McCracken (6-foot-4) may be four of their starters. Point guard, however, is the question. While Carrington Valentine, Michael Currin, and Garde Thompson are all capable of either bringing it up or defending quickness, none are true point guards.My feeling, though, is that they will be able to scheme their way around this mild weakness. After all, none of these teams are perfect anyhow. Finally, rising junior Aidan Noyes is the X-factor — a skilled 6-foot-5 athletic wing who can score it and provide rebounding. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Pickerington North</h3> Pickerington North was a well-oiled machine by the end of last season. Guys had accepted their roles and were playing unselfishly. Everyone knows the big man, Jack Sawyer, is their best player — nobody looked reluctant to feed the big man. We really liked the Panthers last season, but we love their chances to represent Central Ohio in the State Tournament this coming year. Almost all of their players return. Natural development of players like Hunter Shedenhelm and Idris Lawrence could push them to the next level. <h3 style="text-align: center;">St. Edward</h3> Ever since Grant Huffman and Devontae Blanton started for St. Edward's State Tournament team as freshmen, there have been high-expectations for this 2020 class. Montorie Foster came off the bench for that team, but he's now one of the state's top guards, too. While their high-end senior talent will be hard to match, finding role players who can provide outside shooting and a presence in the paint will be crucial. Rising sophomore guards Michael Bova and Bryan Flannery will likely play a big role in their first year on varsity. <h3 style="text-align: center;">St. Vincent-St. Mary</h3> Seth Wilson and Malaki Branham will be juniors next season. They'll be ready to lead the Irish in year three, even though Lunden McDay and others will be sorely missed. STVM will be nowhere near as deep, with only four returning contributors. Expect the two stars to dominate the team's shot attempt distribution. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Thomas Worthington</h3> From a surprise appearance in the district finals in 2019 to __________ in 2020. How will Thomas Worthington's 2021 backcourt deal with expectations as juniors? While is wasn't a fluke that they made a postseason run last season, things will be different next year. Jalen Sullinger and Isaac Settles will still be their top two, but they will be surrounded by unproven guys in the frontcourt. No elite shooter, like Charlie Mamlin, to space the floor. However, guard play is paramount in high school hoops, so they should fare well. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Walnut Ridge</h3> High-end talent and senior leadership led Walnut Ridge into the Way Too Early Top Ten, just ahead of Princeton, the unofficial no. 11. VonCameron Davis enters senior season as a true contender for Mr. Basketball. He has been an unstoppable scorer since he stepped on to a high school floor, averaging 16.6 points as a frosh and 27.1 last year. Similar to last season's Central Ohio Regional Champion, Liberty, their high-scoring small forward is complimented by a pair of talented classmates — Qian Magwood and Kaveon Ross.