OHSAA DI Preseason Watchlist: Central OH

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division's II, III and IV we previewed our top 10 teams and then released our watchlist. We're switching things up in Division I with the watchlists coming first and then the top 10 reveal. In this article we'll break down seven teams from central Ohio that we're keeping our eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westerville Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the older teams in the area, Westerville Central will be led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1373986' first='Devin' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1708730' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1373985' first='Dallas' last='Tucker'] with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1708714' first='Josh' last='Henderson'] as a prime breakout candidate. Under head coach Kevin Martin, Westerville Central made the state title game in 2021 and should have their best team since that season this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westerville North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team where guard play is going to be the key with [player_tooltip player_id='1480850' first='Tai' last='Perkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432010' first='Micah' last='Young'] being a year older and more experienced. They'll be joined by freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2140886' first='Tyson' last='Perkins'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1575438' first='Eyon' last='Robinson'] as Westerville North has a ton of depth from the guard position. The big question will be can they defend in the paint and get over the hump of city rival Westerville North, who eliminated them in the playoffs the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westerville South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few players had a blowup this summer quite like [player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure'] who now holds a handful of Division I offers from mid major programs and has high major programs monitoring his development. While a talented group of seniors that graduated, you'll see some new hungry faces ready to continue the tradition of Westerville South basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Olentangy Orange</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a regional runner up last season, Olentangy Orange graduated a three headed monster of a backcourt who all committed to Division II college programs. [player_tooltip player_id='1480848' first='Devin' last='Brown'] is the new leader of this team as a Junior and he'll be joined by some role players getting elevated like [player_tooltip player_id='1535701' first='Levi' last='Davis'] and also players from Olentangy Orange's excellent JV team from last season. Regardless of the talent that left, this is still a talented team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Walnut</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bit of a sleeper, I think this is the year Big Walnut takes the next step. With seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1581789' first='Trenton' last='Minor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1603493' first='Conor' last='Watters'], they have a senior duo that can carry them to wins. [player_tooltip player_id='1729404' first='Brody' last='Hatfield'] is a very skilled point guard who should have a bigger impact as a Sophomore after a summer in the weight room. Finally, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2125740' first='Eli' last='Stumpf'] is a name to watch in central Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pickerington Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The back-to-back defending regional champions, Pickerington Central loses a lot from their 2023 class but still have some talent coming through the pipeline. [player_tooltip player_id='1222377' first='Juwan' last='Turner'] is one of the more experienced point guards in Ohio and [player_tooltip player_id='1432022' first='Amare' last='Spiva'] is a big time defender to pair with him. Combine those two with size from [player_tooltip player_id='1359618' first='Braylin' last='Wells'] and the Tigers will remain competitive in central Ohio's playoff picture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pickerington North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The city rivals of the Tigers, Pickerington North will be leaning on Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1432005' first='Arness' last='Lawson'] to bring the Panthers back to the heights they reached not too long ago. Lawson will be helped by guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2047488' first='Favor' last='McFadden'] and Jr Bates becoming a year older. One thing to watch with Pickerington North, they will defend you and pressure the ball like few teams in Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Northland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending city league champs, [player_tooltip player_id='1571119' first='King' last='Kendrick'] is back and they've got an improved roster around him with transfers from [player_tooltip player_id='1503915' first='Nehemiah' last='McMorris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2113258' first='Jaden' last='Shoultz']. This team should be even better this season and make more of a playoff push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Walnut Ridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The favorites in the other city league division, Walnut Ridge has [player_tooltip player_id='1222376' first='Dominique' last='Aekins'] back and he's joined by senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1223468' first='Lj' last='Foster'] from Mifflin. Combine that with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2139998' first='Deon' last='Johnson'] and Sophomore multi sport stud [player_tooltip player_id='1984820' first='Marquis' last='Lucas'] and the Scots have a lot of talent to work with this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->