Mid State League (MSL) Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Predicted Finish
(Buckeye Division)
- 1. Fairfield Union– 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. Ted Harrah (Sr) and Caleb Schmelzer Caleb Schmelzer 6'5" | PF Fairfield Union | 2024 State OH (Jr) are back after All-District finishes as will fellow senior Brennen Rowles (Sr).
- 2. Logan Elm– Return their top 2 from last season and will have their eyes set on chasing the Falcons for that top spot. Tanner Holbert Tanner Holbert 5'11" | CG Logan Elm | 2023 State OH (Sr) is one of the best players in the league and will have his top teammate back in Braylen Baker (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.
- 3. Teays Valley– Have the highest upside of any team in this division since they have a nice combo of returning talent and new faces. Sam Miller Sam Miller 6'5" | PF Teays Valley | 2024 State OH (Jr) and Luke Sachs (Jr) have the experience from last year. Brody Fields Brody Fields 6'3" | CG Teays Valley | 2026 State OH (Fr) and Kole Nungester (Fr) are the new faces and could make impacts early on. Might struggle in Division I though come tournament time.
- 4. Amanda-Clearcreek– Aces bring back one of the top players in the league in Clayton Rhyne (Sr). If they can get some guys around Rhyne could make some moves.
- 5. Bloom-Carroll– District Runner-Up last year but down their 2 best guys that were both All-District players.
- 6-8 Liberty Union/Circleville/Hamilton Township– 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.
(Cardinal Division)
- 1. Harvest Prep– 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 Nyelle Shaheed Nyelle Shaheed 6'5" | C Harvest Prep | 2023 State OH and Zyaun Hutson return and bring the upperclassmen leadership needed to succeed. Underclassmen Adonus Abrams Adonus Abrams 6'2" | SF Harvest Prep | 2024 State OH (Jr) and Brandon Roddy Brandon Roddy 6'1" | PG Harvest Prep | 2025 State OH (So) are skilled guards and will make impacts with their presence. Hard to see many teams challenging them in DIstricts.
- 2. Grove City Christian– 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 Braydan Taylor (Sr), Caleb Ransom (Jr), and Seth Vaughn (Jr). Struggled with Harvest Prep last year and more likely is the clear #2 in the division.
- 3. Bishop Rosecrans– Bishops weren’t the most impressive team last year, but have room to move forward. Weston Hartman (Sr) and Grady Labishak (Jr) both return after All-District campaigns and will look to challenge GCC.
- 4. Fairfield Christian– Return their top 2 who are both seniors. Should be better than last season and be more competitive in the league. Sam Rauch (Sr) and Matthew Keener (Sr) will be leaned on.
- 5. Berne Union– Finished in the top half of the league last year, but now will come into the new year without their top guy back. Nate Nemeth (Sr) returns and will now take on the role of being the top guy.
- 6. Millersport– Just under .500 a year ago and now return half of their All-District guys. Michael Levacy (Sr) will now take over.
- 7. Corning Miller– Lose their top scorer from last season which was a struggle. Have senior leadership in Sam Rutter back.
- 8. Fisher Catholic– Winners of only 2 games last year.
(Ohio Division)
- 1. Grandview Heights– 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. Danny Claypool (Sr) and Trey Holliman (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.
- 2. Columbus Academy– Younger team last year that showed they could beat Grandview, but I like the experience Grandview has slightly more. CA returns size in Kevin Reeves (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.
- 3. Worthington Christian– Really solid junior class and might have the best player in the division in Sam Johnson Sam Johnson 6'6" | C Worthington Christian | 2024 State OH (Jr). Jonah Lewis Jonah Lewis 6'1" | SG Worthington Christian | 2024 State OH (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.
- 4. Bexley– Will be without one of the best players over the last few years (Chris Mitchell) but do return Henry Brandt (Sr). Should still be a good team since they’re one of the bigger schools in the division.
- 5. Buckeye Valley– Lose much of their production from last season due to graduation. This spot depends solely on how well they replace talent.
- 6. Wellington School– Jaguars failed to win a game in the league last year and lose their top guy from that team, but return solid guy in Aj Taylor Aj Taylor 6'6" | PF Columbus Wellington | 2023 State OH (Sr). Throw in Jaden Schoultz (Fr) and the Jaguars should be much better.
- 7. Whitehall– Hard to replicate success when you lose 2 Division 1 prospects to transfer portal. Elijah Hughes (Sr) should be the guy to help fill the gaps, but the program will struggle.