OHSAA DI Preseason Watchlist: Central OH
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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…
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Continue ReadingIn 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.
Westerville Central
One of the older teams in the area, Westerville Central will be led by seniors Devin Martin Devin Martin 6'1" | PG Westerville Central | 2024 State OH , Isaiah Brown Isaiah Brown 6'4" | SF Westerville Central | 2024 State OH and Dallas Tucker Dallas Tucker 5'11" | PG Westerville Central | 2024 State OH with Junior Josh Henderson Josh Henderson 6'4" | SG Westerville Central | 2025 State OH 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.
Westerville North
Another team where guard play is going to be the key with Tai Perkins Tai Perkins 5'11" | PG Westerville North | 2025 State OH and Micah Young Micah Young 6'1" | CG Westerville North | 2025 State OH being a year older and more experienced. They’ll be joined by freshman Tyson Perkins Tyson Perkins 5'6" | PG Westerville North | 2027 OH and senior Eyon Robinson Eyon Robinson 6'3" | SG Westerville North | 2024 State OH 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.
Westerville South
Few players had a blowup this summer quite like Kruz McClure Kruz McClure 6'6" | SG Westerville South | 2025 State #183 Nation OH 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.
Olentangy Orange
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. Devin Brown Devin Brown 6'5" | SF Olentangy Orange | 2025 State OH is the new leader of this team as a Junior and he’ll be joined by some role players getting elevated like Levi Davis Levi Davis 6'0" | CG Olentangy Orange | 2026 State OH 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.
Big Walnut
A bit of a sleeper, I think this is the year Big Walnut takes the next step. With seniors Trenton Minor Trenton Minor 6'4" | PF Big Walnut | 2024 State OH and Conor Watters Conor Watters 6'6" | SF Big Walnut | 2024 State OH , they have a senior duo that can carry them to wins. Brody Hatfield Brody Hatfield 5'10" | PG Big Walnut | 2026 State OH is a very skilled point guard who should have a bigger impact as a Sophomore after a summer in the weight room. Finally, freshman Eli Stumpf Eli Stumpf 6'3" | SF Big Walnut | 2027 State OH is a name to watch in central Ohio.
Pickerington Central
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. Juwan Turner Juwan Turner 5'10" | PG Pickerington Central | 2024 State OH is one of the more experienced point guards in Ohio and Amare Spiva Amare Spiva 6'1" | CG Pickerington Central | 2025 State OH is a big time defender to pair with him. Combine those two with size from Braylin Wells Braylin Wells 6'7" | C Pickerington Central | 2024 State OH and the Tigers will remain competitive in central Ohio’s playoff picture.
Pickerington North
The city rivals of the Tigers, Pickerington North will be leaning on Junior Arness Lawson Arness Lawson 6'1" | PG Pickerington North | 2025 State #306 Nation OH to bring the Panthers back to the heights they reached not too long ago. Lawson will be helped by guys like Favor McFadden Favor McFadden 6'3" | SF Pickerington North | 2025 State OH 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.
Columbus Northland
The defending city league champs, King Kendrick King Kendrick 5'10" | PG Northland | 2026 State OH is back and they’ve got an improved roster around him with transfers from Nehemiah McMorris Nehemiah McMorris 6'7" | C Northland | 2025 State OH and Jaden Shoultz Jaden Shoultz 6'2" | SG Northland | 2026 State OH . This team should be even better this season and make more of a playoff push.
Columbus Walnut Ridge
The favorites in the other city league division, Walnut Ridge has Dominique Aekins Dominique Aekins 5'8" | PG Walnut Ridge | 2024 State OH back and he’s joined by senior transfer Lj Foster Lj Foster 6'2" | SG Walnut Ridge | 2024 State OH from Mifflin. Combine that with freshman Deon Johnson Deon Johnson 6'3" | PG Walnut Ridge | 2027 State OH and Sophomore multi sport stud Marquis Lucas Marquis Lucas 6'2" | SF Walnut Ridge | 2026 OH and the Scots have a lot of talent to work with this season.