D3 Southeast District Previews
In this article:
We continue our coverage by looking at the Southeast District in Division III. Upsets tend to happen often in Southeast Ohio in this division. Will we see any this year? Southeast 1 Top Teams: Minford, Zane Trace, Chesapeake, Wheelersburg Sleeper:…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe continue our coverage by looking at the Southeast District in Division III. Upsets tend to happen often in Southeast Ohio in this division. Will we see any this year?
Southeast 1
Top Teams: Minford, Zane Trace, Chesapeake, Wheelersburg
Sleeper: Wheelersburg- In terms of a District Finalist, taking the Pirates to get to this game is not unheard of. This Pirates team is not the same team as a year ago that won a District Final, but they have the swagger of being Wheelersburg basketball. Eli Swords has been their leader all year and can sneak up on a team if not accounted for. Wheelersburg is on a crash course to see Minford for the 3rd time this year to go to a District Final. Minford has defeated the Pirates twice already this season, which is exactly why Wheelersburg could steal this third matchup in late February when they change gears.
District Final: Zane Trace over Minford- I believe Minford will survive a matchup with Wheelersburg, but trusting the Falcons to win the District is a little harder to do. Zane Trace hasn’t lost since January 21st and has played some tough games on the year (Bishop Ready and McClain) and have an electric player in 6-foot-7 senior Donavin Baker Donavin Baker 6'8" | C Zane Trace | 2022 OH . While Minford has a combo in Trenton Zimmerman and Myles Montgomery, I’ve seen some weaknesses in the Falcons game where Zane Trace can capitalize. Defending and controlling the glass will be the difference in this matchup.
Southeast 2
Top Teams: Fairland, Eastern Brown, South Point, Alexander
Sleeper: Portsmouth- Expectations were high for the Trojans preseason as they looked on paper like a team capable of competing for a District title. Some losses earlier in the season doomed them from a higher seed and now the Trojans look to work out of the 11-seed. Dariyonne Bryant and Kenny Sunderlin are the top guys and this Portsmouth team has several losses by single digits this season. I like their chances with backs against the wall in the postseason to finish some of these close games out.
District Final: Fairland over Eastern Brown- These two met back in December with Fairland winning 53-51. This rematch will be so much sweeter with so much more now being on the line. Aiden Porter Aiden Porter 6'1" | PG Fairland | 2022 State OH and the Dragons enter as Southeast Ohio’s best team in Division III besides arguably Minford. The Dragons have 5 losses with all 5 being by 5 points or less. Eastern has a scholarship duo in Trent Hundley Trent Hundley 6'5" | SF Eastern Brown | 2022 State OH and Luke Garrett Luke Garrett 6'2" | CG Eastern Brown | 2022 OH but this might not be enough to defeat the Dragons. Fairland has had a chip on their shoulder all year and have the expectation of winning a District title in this one.