Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In regard to member schools, the OCC is one of the largest conferences in the state with over 30+ members as of this year. The conference has plenty of success every year as these schools are some of the biggest schools in the state. The defending state champions can be found in this conference along with plenty of Division I and Division II talent. Let's see who the favorites are for this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Buckeye Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Pickerington Central</em></strong>- The Tigers are the defending state champions and will have one of the best players in the state of Ohio in Ohio State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867951' first='Devin' last='Royal']</strong> (Sr). Royal is one of the more skilled wings you'll find and combines guard like playmaking with a strong post-like frame. Returning alongside Royal are starters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867940' first='Gavin' last='Headings']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222377' first='Juwan' last='Turner']</strong> (Jr) who are both scholarship players. The Tigers add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359618' first='Braylin' last='Wells']</strong> (Sr) from Buchtel and <strong>Xavier McKinney</strong> (Fr) who will both have a chance to make immediate impacts. Seniors <strong>Andrew Hedgepath</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1419901' first='Markell' last='Johnson']</strong> should see increased roles as well. Repeating in Division I is extremely hard to do, but there is no denying the Tigers have the depth and skill to make things interesting.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Reynoldsburg</em></strong>- The Raiders were in the District Finals a year ago with a very young team. But with that returning talent makes them a team to watch with Pick Central. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432017' first='Jordan' last='Fisher']</strong> (So) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432037' first='Toby' last='Nwokolo']</strong> (So) played well in the Summer and AAU seasons as did <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1476382' first='Noah' last='Smith']</strong> (Jr). Bringing in <strong>Jorden Bowens</strong> (Fr) who is considered one of the best incoming freshmen in the state only adds to the Raiders' depth and especially scaring looking roster. Reynoldsburg was able to make the District Finals a year ago and I expect them to be able to return in 2023.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Newark</em></strong>- One of the most well coached teams in the state and could easily make an argument to jump Reynoldsburg at #2. The Wildcats return 3 of their top 4 from last season's 18 win team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163457' first='Grant' last='Burkholder']</strong> (Sr) leads the pack out of the PG spot and plays with an exceptional motor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225070' first='Steele' last='Meister']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Ethan Stare</strong> (Jr) both return after exceptional sophomore campaigns. Defensive basketball wins in March and that is the brand of ball Newark plays. Tough part of the division, but this is a team that could challenge yet again come Districts.</li><li>4-6. <strong><em>Groveport Madison</em></strong>/<strong><em>Lancaster</em></strong>/<strong><em>Central Crossing</em></strong>- All 3 teams will have some young talent returning and bringing in some new faces, but it will certainly be tough to challenge the top half of this division. Groveport has an exciting freshman in <strong>Tyreke Ruffin</strong> (Fr) joining. Lancaster loses 2 of their top 3, but have a rising sophomore in <strong>Colton Bruny</strong> (So) to lean on. Central Crossing will bring in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432038' first='Kent' last='Hairston']</strong> (So) from Licking Heights but will be without Sohn McGee from a year ago.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Capital Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Westerville North</em></strong>- Solid team a season ago and return many of their pieces. Have senior leadership in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399902' first='Carter' last='Reese']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1468600' first='Rex' last='Mbouge']</strong>. Underclassmen talent is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432010' first='Micah' last='Young']</strong> (So) and <strong>Tai'Ree Perkins</strong> (So), and added athleticism from <strong>Navarion Adams</strong> (Jr) who transfers in from Walnut Ridge. North was one of the few teams that gave Westerville South problems during the regular season. Now it is their turn to hold the top spot.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Delaware Hayes</em></strong>- Return arguably the best player in the division in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222373' first='Jesse' last='Burris']</strong> (Jr) who is attracting interest at the Division I level. <strong>Jake Lowman</strong> (Jr) and <strong>Hezekiah Russell</strong> (Sr) also return and give the Pacers some upperclassmen capable of challenging for a division title.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Westerville South</em></strong>- Wildcats will have a hard time replicating last year's 25-1 season without their top guy (Drey Carter). Do return several guys to keep them around though. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1468671' first='Jujuan' last='Ray']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Jadi Cunningham</strong> (Sr) have the leadership and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure']</strong> (So) has the upside as a underclassmen.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Dublin Scioto</em></strong>- I see the most improvement coming from Scioto as they return 2 of their top 3 guys from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285260' first='Aaron' last='Foster']</strong> (So) and <strong>James Mahlon</strong> (Sr) both impressed in the offseason and showed growth in their games. Lots of room to improve and could see Scioto as a sleeper in the conference.</li><li>5-8. <strong><em>Big Walnut/Worthington Kilbourne/Canal Winchester/Franklin Heights</em></strong>- Big Walnut will be a younger team and could face some problems with the top half of the division. Kilbourne will struggle now without All-District guard Ayden Parsons. Canal Winchester is down their top 2 guys through graduation and transfers and now will lean on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1470338' first='Colin' last='Minerd']</strong> (Sr) this year. Franklin Heights will have their best guy back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199870' first='Abdul' last='Fofana']</strong> (Sr) from a struggling team last year.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Cardinal Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Dublin Jerome</em></strong>- A District Finals appearance is certainly great for the Keltics. But the upcoming year could be even more special as Jerome returns several seniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922602' first='Ryan' last='Nutter']</strong> (Sr) leads the charge as the Marshall commit runs the point and is one of the better floor generals in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090153' first='Luke' last='Kuhlman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1201837' first='Sasha' last='Stavroff']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165509' first='Lachlan' last='Macdonald']</strong> all were major parts of the run last year and should give Jerome plenty of weapons not just in the division, but at a District level as well.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Thomas Worthington</em></strong>- I like what the Cardinals have back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922607' first='Joey' last='Zalewski']</strong> (Sr) has been a major piece since his freshman year and will have senior leadership around him in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355151' first='Melvin' last='Omameh']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355150' first='Benson' last='Oriental']</strong>. TW also returns <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1462512' first='Shaheem' last='Nieves']</strong> (Jr) who was exceptional during the AAU and Summer and is bound for a breakout year. Might not win the division, but I could see this group turning heads come tournament.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Marysville</em></strong>- Have a great junior class and might be a year away from really turning heads. Have the best player outside of Dublin Jerome in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222374' first='Jason' last='Moore']</strong> (Jr). He along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285265' first='Ryker' last='Bowden']</strong> (Jr) are going to be tough to prepare for on any given night.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Olentangy Berlin</em></strong>- Continually getting better as a program. Nice 1-2 punch offensively in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201829' first='Jason' last='Inbody']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311189' first='Derek' last='Goodman']</strong> (Jr). Offensively are going to be able to do much more and force defenses to adjust.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Hilliard Darby</em></strong>-Struggled a bit when I watched during the Summer. 2 of the top 3 are gone and <strong>Cam Gilkerson</strong> (Sr) is the best name returning. Rest of the division has too much back for the Panthers to continue at the top 2 spot.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Olentangy</em></strong>- Not cemented to this spot, but was too inconsistent in the division last year to move too far up. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1462467' first='Harrison' last='Ronnebaum']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Logan Thrapp</strong> (So) both return.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Central Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Olentangy Orange</em></strong>- This division as a whole was the hardest to place teams. Orange though makes the best case to be the favorite after what I saw in the Summer. Trio of seniors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090150' first='Elias' last='Lewis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163459' first='Mikey' last='McCollum']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467907' first='Jordan' last='Edwards']</strong> all return. Have underclassmen talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480848' first='Devin' last='Brown']</strong> (So) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535701' first='Levi' last='Davis']</strong> (Fr) that could also make an impact early on. Short leash though in terms of having the top spot outright.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Hilliard Bradley</em></strong>- Jaguars have a great junior class and have one of the best guard duos in the area in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222352' first='Cade' last='Norris']</strong> (Jr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225069' first='Jeb' last='Bischoff']</strong> (Jr). Norris is a Division I caliber player and is one of the best all-around players in the division. Well coached program.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Olentangy Liberty</em></strong>- Patriots were in the District Finals last year and have quite a few returning. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480851' first='Tyler' last='Kropp']</strong> (So) is a rising sophomore and has guys that understand how OL plays in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494499' first='Matt' last='Wilson']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494506' first='Alex' last='Okuley']</strong> (Sr). Being without their top player (Cooper Davis) will hurt, but OL should still be one of the better teams in the division and could return back to the District Finals with the right matchups.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Dublin Coffman</em></strong>- Down year last season, but should be better now with 3 of their top 5 returning. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163465' first='Aiden' last='Schmidt']</strong> (Sr) impressed over the summer along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494503' first='Kevin' last='Kirkby']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285300' first='CJ' last='Collins']</strong> (So). Plenty of shooting options for the Shamrocks which means plenty of chances for high scoring exchanges.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Hilliard Davidson</em></strong>- Lose plenty of production from last season including their top 2 players. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1052784' first='Peyton' last='Frey']</strong> (Sr) brings inside-out potential and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285253' first='Tristan' last='Morgan']</strong> (Jr) gives consistent shooting/perimeter play. But the loss of that production is going to be felt in this division.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Upper Arlington</em></strong>- Graduate a great senior class that got the Bears to the Regional Semifinals. 2 of the departed seniors were All-District performers. Underclassmen will be leaned on and therefore needs to keep UA at #6 for now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1469692' first='Weston' last='Gregg']</strong> (So) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480849' first='Cal' last='Thrush']</strong> (So) played well in the offseason and adding <strong>Alex Smith</strong> (Fr) should help as well.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Ohio Division)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Pickerington North</em></strong>- Any other team that loses 2 All-District guards are not debuting as the divisional favorite. Pick North is the exception as they return the best player in the division in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432005' first='Arness' last='Lawson']</strong> (So) and the best athlete in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199873' first='Jeff' last='Amapps']</strong> (Sr). The Panthers have a great sophomore class with Lawson including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432047' first='Mykell' last='Murphy']</strong> and <strong>Mondale Bradley</strong> and are well coached. <strong>JR Bates</strong> (Fr) could see minutes early on as well.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Grove City</em></strong>- Played exceptionally well at the end of the year last season and in the Summer. Returning all of their top players and all are upperclassmen. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1519638' first='Kraig' last='Gilbert']</strong> (Jr), <strong>Kevin Gallagher</strong> (Jr), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1462471' first='Daniel' last='Fetty']</strong> (Sr) are those guys and are going to be a tough team to compete against every night.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Westerville Central</em></strong>- Warhawks have a great junior class and likely could have been the favorites before [player_tooltip player_id='1052781' first='Donovan' last='Hunter'] transferred to Spire in the offseason. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373986' first='Devin' last='Martin']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373987' first='Nick' last='Patton']</strong> are 2 of those juniors and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285279' first='Buba' last='Bangura']</strong> (Sr) returns as well to give the Warhawks a fearless competitor.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Gahanna Lincoln</em></strong>- Lose a legendary senior class that went to back-to-back Regional Finals. Replacing that talent is no easy task, but there are guys that played well in the Summer to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090149' first='Maurice' last='Charlton']</strong> (Sr), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1503899' first='Jonathan' last='Whiteside']</strong> (Sr), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1503915' first='Nehemiah' last='McMorris']</strong> (So) will all see their roles vastly increased this year.</li><li>5. <strong><em>New Albany</em></strong>- Lose their top player from a year ago, but have some upperclassmen returning in <strong>Will Powell</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362665' first='Braylen' last='Nash']</strong> (Jr).</li><li>6. <strong><em>Westland</em></strong>- Struggled last year and not returning enough to challenge the top half of the division.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->