Mid State League (MSL) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mid-State League has been one of my more favorite leagues in Columbus beyond the OCC. The league has plenty of success as we saw 4 member teams make the District Finals in Division III and Division IV. The league is split between 3 divisions and will have a few teams with cases to return to the District tournament. This preview will breakdown each division and predicted finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Predicted Finish</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Buckeye Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Fairfield Union</em></strong>- The Falcons are returning their top 3 from a 14 win team last year. With the experience back I see Fairfield Union being a dangerous team in league play. <strong>Ted Harrah</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832066' first='Caleb' last='Schmelzer']</strong> (Jr) are back after All-District finishes as will fellow senior <strong>Brennen Rowles</strong> (Sr). </li><li>2. <strong><em>Logan Elm</em></strong>- Return their top 2 from last season and will have their eyes set on chasing the Falcons for that top spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1357789' first='Tanner' last='Holbert']</strong> (Sr) is one of the best players in the league and will have his top teammate back in <strong>Braylen Baker</strong> (Sr). I like the seniors and especially this group that has had success previously. Struggled in their one game with Fairfield Union last year however.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Teays Valley</em></strong>- Have the highest upside of any team in this division since they have a nice combo of returning talent and new faces. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1581788' first='Sam' last='Miller']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Luke Sachs</strong> (Jr) have the experience from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1879105' first='Brody' last='Fields']</strong> (Fr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2458394' first='Kole' last='Nungester']</strong> (Fr) are the new faces and could make impacts early on. Might struggle in Division I though come tournament time.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Amanda-Clearcreek</em></strong>- Aces bring back one of the top players in the league in <strong>Clayton Rhyne</strong> (Sr). If they can get some guys around Rhyne could make some moves.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Bloom-Carroll</em></strong>- District Runner-Up last year but down their 2 best guys that were both All-District players.</li><li>6-8 <strong><em>Liberty Union/Circleville/Hamilton Township</em></strong>- Liberty Union loses 3 of their top 4 from a near .500 team. Circleville will lose one of their top players while Hamilton Township struggles after a winless season.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Cardinal Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Harvest Prep</em></strong>- Warriors were in the Regional Semifinals a season ago and are bringing back so much of that team, it is almost impossible to pick against them. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090148' first='Nyelle' last='Shaheed']</strong> and <strong>Zyaun Hutson</strong> return and bring the upperclassmen leadership needed to succeed. Underclassmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1353043' first='Adonus' last='Abrams']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432008' first='Brandon' last='Roddy']</strong> (So) are skilled guards and will make impacts with their presence. Hard to see many teams challenging them in DIstricts.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Grove City Christian</em></strong>- Eagles were in the District Finals in Division IV a year ago and now make the move to Division III. They do return much of their production including 3 All-District players in <strong>Braydan Taylor</strong> (Sr), <strong>Caleb Ransom</strong> (Jr), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1649094' first='Seth' last='Vaughn']</strong> (Jr). Struggled with Harvest Prep last year and more likely is the clear #2 in the division.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Bishop Rosecrans</em></strong>- Bishops weren't the most impressive team last year, but have room to move forward. <strong>Weston Hartman</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2138651' first='Grady' last='Labishak']</strong> (Jr) both return after All-District campaigns and will look to challenge GCC.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Fairfield Christian</em></strong>- Return their top 2 who are both seniors. Should be better than last season and be more competitive in the league. <strong>Sam Rauch</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Matthew Keener</strong> (Sr) will be leaned on.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Berne Union</em></strong>- Finished in the top half of the league last year, but now will come into the new year without their top guy back. <strong>Nate Nemeth</strong> (Sr) returns and will now take on the role of being the top guy.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Millersport</em></strong>- Just under .500 a year ago and now return half of their All-District guys. <strong>Michael Levacy</strong> (Sr) will now take over.</li><li>7. <strong><em>Corning Miller</em></strong>- Lose their top scorer from last season which was a struggle. Have senior leadership in <strong>Sam Rutter</strong> back.</li><li>8. <strong><em>Fisher Catholic</em></strong>- Winners of only 2 games last year.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Ohio Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Grandview Heights</em></strong>- Always a powerhouse in the league, the Bobcats again are poised for a divisional title as they bring back 2 of their top 3 from a team that was in the District Finals last season in Division IV. <strong>Danny Claypool</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Trey Holliman</strong> (Sr) bring experience to the table and will be hard to prepare for. The move to Division III could create some challenges, but the Bobcats always play hard and compete.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Columbus Academy</em></strong>- Younger team last year that showed they could beat Grandview, but I like the experience Grandview has slightly more. CA returns size in <strong>Kevin Reeves</strong> (Sr) and has a slew of underclassmen guards that should be impactful early. Easily could be a sleeper team not just in the MSL but in Districts too.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Worthington Christian</em></strong>- Really solid junior class and might have the best player in the division in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222350' first='Sam' last='Johnson']</strong> (Jr). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1503896' first='Jonah' last='Lewis']</strong> (Jr) had a great AAU season and if carried over, should allow him to grow his game within the league. Warriors should be much better than a season ago.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Bexley</em></strong>- Will be without one of the best players over the last few years (Chris Mitchell) but do return <strong>Henry Brandt</strong> (Sr). Should still be a good team since they're one of the bigger schools in the division.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Buckeye Valley</em></strong>- Lose much of their production from last season due to graduation. This spot depends solely on how well they replace talent.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Wellington School</em></strong>- Jaguars failed to win a game in the league last year and lose their top guy from that team, but return solid guy in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225053' first='Aj' last='Taylor']</strong> (Sr). Throw in <strong>Jaden Schoultz</strong> (Fr) and the Jaguars should be much better.</li><li>7. <strong><em>Whitehall</em></strong>- Hard to replicate success when you lose 2 Division 1 prospects to transfer portal. <strong>Elijah Hughes</strong> (Sr) should be the guy to help fill the gaps, but the program will struggle.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->