Ohio Capital Conference Preview

The Ohio Capital Conference is one of the biggest conferences in the state with 32 teams calling it home. Many of Central Ohio’s best teams in Division I come out of this conference as this past year was no exception. The amount of collegiate talent also here is much higher than other parts of the state. Continuing on with our coverage, I take a look at the conference and preview who is expected to compete within the 5 divisions. Ohio Division The overwhelming favorite to win this division is Gahanna Lincoln hands down. They have so much talent including [player_tooltip player_id="616810" first="Sean" last="Jones"] (Sr) who is committed to Marquette, [player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"] (Sr) who is committed to Toledo, [player_tooltip player_id="921739" first="Joshua" last="Whiteside"] (Sr) who transfers over from St. Charles, and seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1138765" first="Eljae" last="Deas"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1045468" first="Jesse" last="Battle"]. This Lions team has the talent and experience to overwhelm Central Ohio. Pickerington North should be right behind them as they too have some very good senior guard play led by Dior Connors, [player_tooltip player_id="921757" first="Jerry" last="Saunders"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1138767" first="Corey" last="Hudson"]. Westerville Central is the defending Division I State Runner-Up but are losing a lot of those key players. While they return [player_tooltip player_id="1052781" first="Donovan" last="Hunter"] (Jr) and [player_tooltip player_id="1201836" first="Abubakarr" last="Bangura"] (Sr) among others, I’m not sure if it’s enough to beat out the Panthers or Lions at the top. New Albany returns two talented players in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="921763" first="Justin" last="Perry"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1285264" first="Joshua" last="Evans"]. Grove City lost their two top guys from last year and Westland loses one of their top two from a 3 win team. Central Division This division may be one of the toughest to pick as two of the six teams were in the Regional Semifinals last year and everyone seemingly knocked each other off. Hilliard Bradley was the division champion a year ago but will definitely be a younger team this upcoming season. [player_tooltip player_id="1222352" first="Cade" last="Norris"] (So) will look to replace his brother Keaton Norris in the backcourt but the Jaguars may have some learning to do with their youth. Hilliard Davidson is their cross town rival and bring back 3 of their top 4. [player_tooltip player_id="848282" first="Jayden" last="Nervis"] (Sr), [player_tooltip player_id="967176" first="Ryan" last="Paris"] (Sr), and [player_tooltip player_id="1052784" first="Peyton" last="Frey"] (Jr) are a solid core to build around and are going to try to compete with Bradley and Coffman. Speaking of which, the Shamrocks lost 2 of their top 5, but are returning Ohio commit [player_tooltip player_id="809621" first="Ajay" last="Sheldon"] (Sr) and [player_tooltip player_id="1163465" first="Aiden" last="Schmidt"] (Jr). Fellow senior Aidan Dreng (Sr) will be a key helper too if healthy. Olentangy Liberty is the other Regional qualifier from a year ago and are bringing back quite a few pieces from that team (4 of the top 7). [player_tooltip player_id="717039" first="Cooper" last="Davis"] and Parker Hinkle both lead this team as seniors and should be considered favorites to again compete within the District. Olentangy Orange knocked off several of these teams during the regular season and even though they lose two of their top guys from last year, they still return a solid group of juniors. It will be interesting how the Pioneers compete against these senior heavy teams. Upper Arlington struggled within the conference but have a nice senior group back led by [player_tooltip player_id="921754" first="Quinn" last="Corna"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1138751" first="Nick" last="Heath"] that should allow the Golden Bears a better shot of competing in 2022. Buckeye Division Pickerington Central has to be the overwhelming favorite to win this division title too. They are loaded with talent including [player_tooltip player_id="1082238" first="Josh" last="Harlan"] (Sr), [player_tooltip player_id="867951" first="Devin" last="Royal"] (Jr), [player_tooltip player_id="867953" first="Sonny" last="Styles"] (Jr), and [player_tooltip player_id="1222377" first="Juwan" last="Turner"] (So) among others. The Tigers on paper should be the best team in this division without a doubt. I like Newark next as they are defending District Runner-Ups. The Wildcats have a promising player in [player_tooltip player_id="1225070" first="Steele" last="Meister"] (So) to lead them and have the culture to continue to find ways to win. Reynoldsburg was a District Runner-Up too last year, but lose 2 of their top 3 from that team. Do return [player_tooltip player_id="1045461" first="Julian" last="Heckman"] (Sr) but can the Pirates still compete against Pick Central and now Newark? Groveport has a promising senior in Kenyatta Whiteside but need to show more competitiveness and improve from 6 wins in 2021. Central Crossing added [player_tooltip player_id="921797" first="Sohn" last="McGee"] (Sr) from Westland but still going to struggle within the conference. Lancaster loses their top guy from a 12-10 team a year ago. Cardinal Division On paper it looks like Thomas Worthington and Dublin Jerome are probably the two teams to beat within the division. Thomas Worthington likely won’t repeat another undefeated season within the division, but I like their junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1090154" first="Caleb" last="Miller"] and [player_tooltip player_id="922607" first="Joey" last="Zalewski"] and think they could still be near the top of the division even after losing the amount of talent they did. Jerome struggled a year ago, but they bring back nearly everyone including [player_tooltip player_id="922602" first="Ryan" last="Nutter"] (Jr), [player_tooltip player_id="1090153" first="Luke" last="Kuhlman"] (Jr), and Sasha Stravroff (Jr), plus added [player_tooltip player_id="921753" first="Dayvion" last="McDonald"] (Sr) from Dublin Coffman. Marysville is losing their 1-2 punch of Jack Christian and Garrett Taylor, but returning sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1222374" first="Jason" last="Moore"]. Is that enough though to keep them in the hunt? Olentangy is also losing 2 of their top 3 but return [player_tooltip player_id="809662" first="Ethan" last="Smith"] (Sr). Hilliard Darby has their top 3 back as long as they can win in the division. Olentangy Berlin likely again is at the bottom of the division. Capital Division I like Westerville South and Canal Winchester in this division. Westerville South loses a solid backcourt, but has Wright State commit [player_tooltip player_id="1045456" first="Drey" last="Carter"] (Sr) back who is one of the best players in the division. Canal Winchester already was returning rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1222355" first="Cortez" last="Freeman"] and then added [player_tooltip player_id="921785" first="Derrick" last="James"] (Sr) from St. Charles to form a solid backcourt for the Indians. Worthington Kilbourne has Ayden Parson (Sr) returning but will be without 2 others from their top 3. Delaware Hayes has a talented sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id="1222373" first="Jesse" last="Burris"], but is that enough for the Pacers to keep up in the division? Westerville North should still be solid with [player_tooltip player_id="921780" first="Noah" last="Lawrence"] (Sr) and Jordan Graham (So) both back. Big Walnut will be without Caleb Conrad and Franklin Heights and Dublin Scioto just don’t have the personnel to keep up.