Way to Early Southwest Ohio favorites

<p>With the 2020-21 season now behind us, it is never too early to move ahead to looking at the 2021-22 season. This past year we saw the D1 champion come out of Southwest Ohio in Centerville. The Elks as you will read below have a very good chance to see themselves back in the State tournament next year. But who will be joining them? Read below to find out. Note: the below teams are in alphabetical order. Subject to change pending transfers, AAU season, injuries, etc.</p> <p><strong>Centerville</strong>- The defending state champions are losing one starter from their victorious season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"]</strong> (2023) has emerged as one of the state’s best PGs and has become a dangerous player on both ends of the floor for the Elks. Fellow 2023 <strong>Emmanuel Deng</strong> is an elite defender and compliments Cupps in that backcourt. Seniors-to-be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921745" first="Rich" last="Rolf"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809612" first="Tom" last="House"]</strong> really came alive this past season and have become consistent offensive threats when they’re on the floor. Rolf is a mismatch problem at 6-7 and can really force defenses to struggle when defending him in man. House is a fantastic shooter with NCAA range and a very consistent shooting motion. <strong>Quinn Hafner</strong> (2022) and <strong>Ryan Keifer</strong> (2022) provided valuable minutes off the bench and should only see their roles increase next year. There are rumors of a potential transfer that if true, would make the Elks shoe-in favorites in D1. Until then though, the talent there now is elite.</p> <p><strong>Elder</strong>- The Panthers fell short in the Regionals a year ago falling to the eventual state champions, but the talent returning has to make Elder feel confident they are moving in the right direction. While they will lose do-it-all Appalachian State football commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="919021" first="David" last="Larkins"]</strong>, the Panthers will return senior duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138753" first="Sean" last="Keller"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921762" first="Andrew" last="Harp"]. </strong>Keller stepped up as a solid backcourt option for the Panthers throughout the season. Harp brings strength and physicality at 6-4 and was the leading scorer last year. A very good defensive team, the Panthers depend on their cohesiveness and physicality to disrupt opposing teams. <strong>Drew Busam</strong> (2022) and <strong>Carson</strong><strong> Browne</strong> (2023) provided minutes off the bench a season ago and will step into bigger roles.</p> <p><strong>Fairfield</strong>- There’s no denying emotions were high after Fairfield went 13-1 in the GMC, only to be bounced in their tournament opener against conference foe Lakota West. Plenty of talent is back to make them a legitimate contender to repeat in the GMC and potentially make a deeper postseason run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809630" first="Logan" last="Woods"]</strong> (2022) excelled in his first season with the Indians after coming over from Cincinnati Christian. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867933" first="Deshawne" last="Crim"]</strong> (2023) combined with Woods for over 30 points per game and showed he could compete against the tough GMC. 6-5 <strong>Aamir Rogers</strong> (2023) emerged as a low post nightmare defensively with his large frame and on the glass. The Indians overall have the talent and now have a year more of experience that should allow them to get over the hump come tournament time.</p> <p><strong>Lakota East</strong>- The Thunderbirds will be without <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="593930" first="Nate" last="Johnson"]</strong> next year as he takes his talents to Akron, but they return plenty of guys that could make them a force to recon with in the GMC and statewide. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1090160" first="Jack" last="Kronauge"]</strong> (2022), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921807" first="Jadon" last="Coles"]</strong> (2022) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045458" first="Kobe" last="Peck"]</strong> (2022) all return and have experience both in the GMC and some deeper postseason experience from two seasons ago. <strong>Charlie Kenrich</strong> (2022) brings the football toughness to the basketball floor and can impact a game by outhustling and outworking opposing players. The amount of returning players plus the fact this program and very disciplined and well coached equates to an obvious belief they can compete every season and can be a favorite every time they step on the floor.</p> <p>Others worth recognizing: Lakota West, Moeller, Walnut Hills</p>