Ohio Capital Conference- Central Division Players To Watch

The realignment of the OCC made this division the most competitive one there is with five of the six teams finishing over .500 last season including three teams with a minimum of 18 wins in the 2019-2020 season and a team who won their respective division as well. Dublin Coffman (18-7) won this division last season and they return the majority of their balanced team from last season. The Shamrocks must have grabbed the short straw as they welcome the arrival of Hilliard Bradley (25-2) who won the Cardinal division last year with a star on their team, Olentangy Liberty (18-7; and the only team in this division to play) and the competitive Olentangy Orange (14-9). These three teams will push Dublin Coffman and turn this division into one that eats itself from the inside, but do not be surprised if a couple of these squads make runs in the state playoffs. Hilliard Davidson (4-19), who struggled last season, stays in the Central division along with Upper Arlington (13-9) and both teams will look to get their wins where they can. With such strong teams in this division, the games are bound to be must-see and these are the players that fans must watch during this season. [player_tooltip player_id="918986" first="Henry" last="Hinkle"]- 2021; Olentangy Liberty: It’s easy to start with a player from the only team in this division to have stepped onto a court this winter. Hinkle started with a splash after a sensational 2019-2020 season averaging 18.4 points per game and a tremendous summer with a number of amazing performances. Hinkle has already scored 30 in a game this season against Marietta then followed that up with a humble 15 point game against Athens (The Plains). If those words did not get you, as the reader, excited then his shooting skill will. Hinkle has unlimited range and good shot selection, knowing when and where he can pull up from. Once the season continues, expect this shifty guard to continue his sharp shooting and his team to continue to put up big scoring numbers. A big-game performer, Hinkle plays his best in the biggest games and he takes the biggest shots of the game as well which makes him a player to watch this season. [player_tooltip player_id="918975" first="Keaton" last="Norris"]- 2021; Hilliard Bradley: The Wright State commit is as solid a point guard as it gets in the OCC, averaging close to 12 points per game and being an exceptional passer as well. Surrounded by a basketball family (including his coach that is his father), Norris loves to win and is an exciting player to watch. His shooting sets him apart from other players, scorching nets all across Ohio for the past two years. He was second on his team in scoring last season but with the ball in his hands more expect all his numbers to rise this season. Norris is a solid passer, pushing the ball ahead on fast breaks and showing good anticipation when passing to cutter in half court situations. Fans should go out of their way to watch this young man operate because it is a thing of beauty. [player_tooltip player_id="921754" first="Quinn" last="Corna"]- 2022; Upper Arlington: Corna leads his team into this season looking to up his 14.9 points per game scoring average from last year. Corna is tougher than a $2 steak and it shows in his game. He is a relentless driver of the basketball and can force the ball to drop in the basket. His mid-range game is something to behold, being money from 15-17 feet around the hoop. Corna is exciting to watch because of the way he grinds on the court, doing all the dirty work as well as being the go-to scorer for his team. Once this season begins, keep your eyes on Corna as he navigates this division in search for victories and recognition. [player_tooltip player_id="809621" first="Ajay" last="Sheldon"]- 2022; Dublin Coffman: This young man was really impressive over the summer/fall, putting on a couple of awe-inspiring performances throughout the offseason. His game is silky smooth and he can shift his way into the lane and finishes with a really good lay-up package. His hustle makes him fun to watch, diving for loose balls and getting the crowd energized with how hard he plays. Just when a defender thinks they can sag off of him, he blows them away with how he can knock down three-point jump shots. The 5-foot-11 inch guard is insanely fun to watch and will be a star this season. [player_tooltip player_id="919031" first="Andre" last="Irvin"]- 2021; Olentangy Orange: One of this writer’s favorite players to watch, Irvin is a tough as nails point guard with no fear that relentlessly drive’s to the basket until the defense sags off then he blungedon’s them with the three-point shot. Irvin put up close to 13 points per game and showed his excellent vision as a passer to go along with his superior jump shooting skills. He can run the pick-and-roll like the senior he is, consistently making the correct decision with the ball in his hands. Standing at 5-foot-9 means he must get a higher arch on his shot and he does that while still shooting with confidence and accuracy from deep. Irvin’s exciting style of play makes him a must-see player, combined with his toughness and never say quit attitude. [player_tooltip player_id="717039" first="Cooper" last="Davis"]- 2022; Olentangy Liberty: The other young man who has registered stats in a game, Davis has played a huge role in his team’s success this season. The 6-foot-4 swing guard put up 13 quiet points against Marietta then nailed Athens (The Plains) over the head for 19 more points in his second game. The Reynoldsburg transfer helps balance the floor with Hinkle by being another knockdown shooter. The way he has helped space the floor has opened up everything offensively for Olentangy Liberty and allowed them to score more points than they did at the beginning of last season. Davis’ arrival has proved positive for him as well because he has gotten more open opportunities and is showing that he can also put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. Davis will continue to show why he was one of the better offseason pickups in Central Ohio high school basketball. [player_tooltip player_id="967176" first="Ryan" last="Paris"]- 2022; Hilliard Davidson: The bright spot for a team who did not win many games, Paris averaged just over 11 points per game with a season-high of 22. Paris is a 6-foot-3 guard who can handle the ball well enough to make plays for himself and others while being able to play off the ball and cut to the basket. His aggressiveness makes him fun to watch, he does not give up on plays when they go wrong or games when they get out of hand. Paris can shoot from deep a high clip and will work hard when he plays off the ball to get open for perimeter jumpers. This is a young man that any coach would love to have on the next level, despite his teams lack of success, because he will play hard, play his role and play like a champion. [player_tooltip player_id="918970" first="AJ" last="Mirgon"]- 2021; Hilliard Bradley: An accomplished quarterback on the football field, his deep ball on the gridiron is similar to his deep ball on the hardwood. Mirgon is a high school three-and-D type of player that can be used in a couple different ways. His defense is what makes him must-see, with an intense and aggressive style that is not seen in most quarterbacks. He gets in his stance and disrupts the offensive flow of the game with his quick feet and not allowing ball handlers to get around him. Mirgon’s shooting is also outstanding, being able to hit jumpers from any place on the court even if he does not finish at the rim like other players. Mirgon is part of a backcourt that could be state championship bound and his play will be key in the playoff run. [player_tooltip player_id="805197" first="Jason" last="Foster"]- 2021; Olentangy Orange: The 6-foot-5 Foster led his team in scoring last season with 13.7 points per game and he is a brazen athlete with a tremendous upside. Foster runs the floor like a Ferrari on an empty highway and finishes at the basket with ferocity and power. His handle is good enough that he is able to make plays for himself in the halfcourt while being able to get a rebound and lead the fast break for his team. On defense, Foster protects the rim using his athleticism and blocking shots both in transition and in the half court as well. If a defender gets in his way then he will gladly dunk on that player and make the gym explode. Foster is an exciting player to watch and is ready to explode once this season starts. [player_tooltip player_id="919034" first="Nash" last="Hostetler"]- 2021; Dublin Coffman: With close to a 14 point per game average, the Shamrocks leading returning scorer will be one to watch to see if he can assume the mantle as the team’s best player and up his scoring this season. Hostetler can shoot the lights out with his amazing range and can cut around the court to give himself easy baskets. Standing at 6-foot-3, he is a good rebounder and gets tough ones over players that could be more athletic than he is. Hostetler will lead a team that won a share of this division last season and will have more eyes on him than ever before.   *All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*