Way-too-early: Championship contenders in Division II in 2021

<p>It’s been a week and a couple of days since Goodpasture (Division II-A) and Montgomery Bell Academy (Division II-AA) were crowned champions inside Hooper Eblen Center.</p> <p>Now, it’s time to look into the 2021-22 season.</p> <p>Yeah, it’s early and rosters could change from now until the start of next season, but it’s always fun to visualized teams that have a chance to celebrate a championship.</p> <p>Championship contenders in DII-A</p> <p><strong>FACS</strong></p> <p>Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id="1119934" first="Joshua" last="Ward"]</p> <p>Key returnees: [player_tooltip player_id="1021723" first="Kobe" last="Wilkes"], [player_tooltip player_id="1021722" first="Corey" last="Savage"], [player_tooltip player_id="1021724" first="T.J." last="Thomas"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1019407" first="Daniel" last="Egbuniwe"]</p> <p>The Crusaders will have a senior-led team in 2021. This group has been playing together for a long time, so the chemistry is there. The seniors played in the DII-A State Championship game as sophomores and reached the elite eight as juniors. Wilkes, Savage and Thomas are unselfish, moves the ball well and can knock down shots from 3. Egbuniwe is a 6-foot-7 wing that can play the three and four. His ball handles improved in his junior season. Egbuniwe played with an edge in 2020 that will be needed in 2021.</p> <p><strong>Lausanne</strong></p> <p>Key losses: none</p> <p>Key returnees: Antonio Dilworth, [player_tooltip player_id="1019408" first="Hayden" last="Ledbetter"], Craig Cunningham, Langston Rogers and Tre Davis</p> <p>Lynx head coach Marvis Davis was young in 2020, and he was still able to get his team to the state tournament. Lausanne lacked size this season, but its guards stepped up. Ledbetter was one of the best point guards in the league last season. Viewers saw his game go up a notch by knocking down shots from the perimeter. Dilworth continued to be a solid perimeter defender. Davis, who was just a freshman last season, was dependable on offense, especially when his team needed a shot from deep. Cunningham and Rogers contributed on both ends of the floor last season and will be asked to do the same in 2021.</p> <p>The Lynx will need to add size to their frontcourt. If Lausanne can add size, it will be in position to compete for a state title.</p> <p>Championship contenders in DII-AA</p> <p><strong>Knoxville Catholic</strong></p> <p>Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id="775601" first="Sam" last="Sompayrac"]</p> <p>Key returnees: [player_tooltip player_id="996904" first="Brian" last="Edwards Jr"]., [player_tooltip player_id="996945" first="Presley" last="Patterson"], [player_tooltip player_id="992517" first="Blue" last="Cain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="996928" first="Handje" last="Tamba"]</p> <p>The Fighting Irish are in the same position as FACS, bringing a solid upperclassmen group. Cain will be a junior, while Edwards, Patterson and Tamba will be seniors. Edwards was distraught after Knoxville Catholic lost to eventual champion Montgomery Bell Academy in the semifinals round. The 6-3 point guard is coming off a season averaging 19.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.7 steals. Edwards’ 2020 season was capped off with a Mr. Basketball Award. Cain took the next step as a sophomore, proving he’s capable of being a solid No. 2 option, with his outside shooting and driving abilities. Patterson is a 3-pointer sniper and Tamba excels at rebounding and blocking shots.</p> <p>This team isn’t done competing for a gold ball.</p> <p><strong>Montgomery Bell Academy</strong></p> <p>Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id="537240" first="Will" last="Montana"] and [player_tooltip player_id="537275" first="Miles" last="Versa"]</p> <p>Key returnees: Grayson Morgan, Jackson Francis, [player_tooltip player_id="1019051" first="Marcel" last="Reed"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1019052" first="Joshua" last="Roberts"]</p> <p>The defending champs went from the hunter to the hunted. A target will be on the Big Red’s back in 2021 as they will look to repeat. Losing Montana and Versa will hurt as both guards made big shots during the team’s title run. Reed and Francis will need to elevate on the floor. Reed showed poise in MBA’s title win over Brentwood Academy, with his ability to run the offense, make the right pass and knock down shots when his number was called. Francis did the same for the Big Red.</p> <p>Morgan, a 6-6 forward with post moves, was a hand full in the paint. Roberts at small forward was a matchup problem thanks to his upper body strength and mobility.</p> <p><strong>Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <p>Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id="775588" first="Caleb" last="Brooks"] and Eli Sutton</p> <p>Key returnees: Trent McNair, [player_tooltip player_id="1145719" first="Tyler" last="Tanner"] and Drey Moss</p> <p>McNair was a Mr. Basketball finalist in 2020. He averaged 20.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Eagles. Tanner, as a freshman, helped Brentwood Academy reach the championship. He had 22 points, all in the second half, in a semifinals win against Christian Brothers. Moss was another dependable scoring option. The Eagles will need to fix their frontcourt as Sutton and Brooks are graduating. If it’s fixed, Brentwood Academy could reach the championship game once again.</p>