Columbus City League Preview

<p>The Columbus City League got off to a late start last season and as a result didn't get a chance to really get into a groove. Africentric missed out on an opportunity to play in the Division III tournament and Beechcroft took an earlier exit than expected. Both teams are expected to be better in 2022 and should both be the favorites to win the league. Tony looks at the CCL and gives his predictions for the upcoming season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>North Division</strong></span></p> <p>The North division clearly runs through Beechcroft as the Cougars are the clear favorites to win in the division. The Cougars are returning their duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921776" first="JJ" last="Simmons"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"]</strong> from last year’s CCL championship team among other seniors. It’s hard to see many teams giving them a challenge and frankly this might be one of the best Division II teams in the state. Northland and Linden McKinley are battling for spots 2 and 3. The Vikings have a talented Point Guard in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809608" first="Robert" last="Dorsey"]</strong> (Sr) but they lose in total 3 of their top 5. Linden also loses 3 of their top 5 but have a solid senior duo in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921770" first="LA" last="Walker"]</strong> and <strong>L.B. Towns</strong> coming back. Centennial will be without their top 2 from a season ago. Columbus East returns 2 of their top 3 back. International has one of the more talented sophomores in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222375" first="Kj" last="Jones"]</strong> (So) and will look to continue improving with their young team. Mifflin and Whetstone will hang around the bottom of the division.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>South Division</strong></span></p> <p>Africentric will be the best team in the South division with little competition. The Nubians missed out on the OHSAA tournament after COVID ended their season prematurely. They bring back the best prospect in the league in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="922605" first="Dailyn" last="Swain"]</strong> (Jr) along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809627" first="Dan" last="Wagner"]</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1163468" first="Preston" last="Steele"]</strong> (Jr). Walnut Ridge will also be a team worth watching as they have a younger team led by sophomores <strong>Na’Varion Adams</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222376" first="Dominique" last="Aekins"]</strong>. Also returning <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138754" first="Zion" last="Blevins"]</strong>. Eastmoor Academy has one of the better bigs in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1195135" first="Dennis" last="Asoro"]</strong> (Sr), but must show they are going to compete better after winning 2 games last year. Briggs, Marion-Franklin and Columbus South both are returning some of their younger talent from a season ago. Independence and Columbus West both lose quite a few guys from their teams as well.</p>