Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can make the case the GWOC had one of the best years in 2021-22. The state runner up in Division I (Centerville) came from the conference and two other schools (Fairmont and Wayne) were District champs and made it to the Regional tournament. The buzz is high in the conference with another season ahead of us and another good group of teams returning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Centerville- The Elks were one game away from an undefeated season and a repeat state title. But a loss to Pickerington Central in the championship game derailed those dreams. 3 starters are gone from that group including 3 Division I signees. The Elks do have back however one of the best guards in the state in Indiana commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867934' first='Gabe' last='Cupps']</strong> (Sr). The senior, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163474' first='Emmanuel' last='Deng']</strong> (Sr), return in the backcourt. Cupps has shown time and time again his playmaking is one of the best. Centerville hit the transfer portal hard adding <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222348' first='Jonathan' last='Powell']</strong> (Jr) from C-J, <strong>Collin O'Conner</strong> (Sr) from Tecumseh, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867955' first='Sam' last='Walker']</strong> (Sr) from West Carrollton to help alleviate those graudated lost players. The Elks have a group of young guys back as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432031' first='Ethan' last='Greenburg']</strong> (So), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432042' first='Eli' last='Greenburg']</strong> (So), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1426736' first='Baboucarr' last='Njie']</strong> (Jr) that should see increased minutes. In the end, the Elks should again be one of the state's best teams and will be a preseason favorite to win the Division I state title with the amount of talent on their roster.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><li>Wayne- Honestly, spots 2-4 are much more open than some may think. But I think Wayne will end up at the #2 spot. The Warriors were in the Regional Semifinals last year and return the 2nd best player in the conference in Murray State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867949' first='Lawrent' last='Rice']</strong> (Sr). Rice has been one of the best players in this league since his freshman year and now has a chance to really be the guy for Wayne. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285297' first='Juan' last='Cranford Jr']</strong> (Jr) gives Rice a great guard on the perimeter with an incredible 3PT shot. Those two are easily Wayne's best scoring options currently, and this could be what holds the Warriors back. There are some seniors that if they accept their roles and can provide some scoring relief, can give Wayne a needed edge. This is a team capable of going back to the DIstrict title, but with Cincinnati being deeper in Division I, could spell problems returning to Regionals.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><li>Springboro- The Panthers have the highest ceiling from last year as I see them jumping from 8th in the league to 3rd. A rocky 2022 will hopefully be forgotten with new coach Brian Bales coming over from Franklin to take the helm for the Panthers. Returning are two of the Dayton area's best 2025 prospects in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432016' first='Rj' last='Greer']</strong> (So) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432032' first='Jerome' last='White']</strong> (So). Greer is coming off a great AAU season and has become of the best scorers in the 2025 class. White has a lot of upside with his length and rim protection/rebounding. Throw in junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467481' first='Maxim' last='Butler']</strong> and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285278' first='Chase' last='Grevey']</strong> and Boro has some shooters on the perimeters that can get hot in a hurry. Finally, the Panthers added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222363' first='Will' last='Yates']</strong> (Jr) from Trotwood-Madison who will make an immediate impact with his scoring potential and swift handle. This could be a special year for Springboro and the start of a great era under Bales. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><li>Fairmont- The Firebirds were the 3rd GWOC team that won a District title and were moments away from shocking Centerville in the Regional Semifinals. But now a new season is here and the Firebirds will have some familiar faces back, but will be without two huge pieces from a season ago. Gone are Anthony Johnson and Dasan Doucet and with them is Fairmont's top 2 scorers. While Fairmont will have some returning faces back, it remains to be seen if these guys can replace these large voids. <strong>Aden Marrero</strong>, <strong>Jamison Roundtree</strong>, <strong>Tyler Gentile</strong>, and <strong>Eli Sherwood</strong> all return for their senior seasons and bring the understanding of a culture now knowing what is needed to win in the GWOC. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><li>Beavercreek- Beavers will have a new coach and will return plenty of guards from a team that showed some life come tournament time, but struggled in the GWOC besides this. <strong>Isaiah Williams</strong> (So) played a major role, especially come tournament time for the Beavers and has become their go-to player with his scoring versatility and playmaking. He's got two solid seniors in <strong>Kyle Putnam</strong> and <strong>Daniel Jefferson</strong> also back that compliment Williams and can score themselves when needed. Throw in <strong>Lance Caswell</strong> (Jr) and Beavercreek should have plenty of guys should Williams see intense defense.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6"><li>Northmont- The Thunderbolts made big strides after a rough 2021 season and finished above .500. Unfortunately though, they lost arguably their top player last year to graduation (Brandon Pooler) and their highest upside player to transfer ([player_tooltip player_id='1543003' first='Jeremiah' last='Landers']). Meaning quite a bit of production is gone and needs replaced. The Bolts have some guys that can help with this in <strong>Da'lin Wilkins</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Tyrin Sturdivant</strong> (Sr) but the scoring gone won't be easily replaced. Tough, defensive basketball is what Northmont has brought previously and will continue to do, but the ability to put the ball in the basket is going to go a long way in seeing if Northmont can contend for the #5 spot with Beavercreek.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":7} --> <ol start="7"><li>Miamisburg- The Vikings are in a tough spot as the status of one of their best players is up in the air. It is rumored <strong>Jackson McGohan</strong> (Sr) would not be playing this season, but after suiting up for the Vikings this Summer, now that is not totally confirmed. His presence could be night and day difference for the Vikings as he brings great athleticism at 6'6 and can guard different positions and guys. Assuming he does not return, Miamisburg will look to <strong>Daryl Cooper</strong> (Sr) to lead them. While Cooper is a more under the radar guy in the GWOC, he cannot lead this group by himself and expect Miamisburg to be in contention in the conference. Lack of depth will hurt this team and make it difficult to compete.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":8} --> <ol start="8"><li>Springfield- The Wildcats will continue to rebuild as they won only 5 games in 2021-22. While they will return the senior guard combo of <strong>Tyron Barnes</strong> and <strong>Marcel Pringle Jr</strong>, the Wildcats lack the height to contest some of the bigger wings in the GWOC. With the football team being one of the best in the state as well, Springfield likely won't have their full roster until closer to the start of the season which could take some time for them to get up to speed and get acclimated to one another.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->