OHSAA DI Preseason Watchlist: SW

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For every other Division we started with the top 10 teams and then previewed the teams that just missed the cut. We're switching things up for Division I to preview our watchlist teams first, then reveal the top 10 teams. In this article we'll break down six teams from southwest Ohio that we'll be keeping our eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winton Woods</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1222345' first='Tyler' last='McKinley'], a consensus top 100 prospect in the country, completely changes the outlook for this team. Despite finishing near the middle of the ECC last season, Winton Woods now has aspirations of competing for conference, district and regional titles. Can the new pieces fit together to make a deep playoff run? Only time will tell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season the ECC title was split by Anderson, Turpin and Kings, while Anderson and Turpin lose some key seniors from last season, Kings returns a majority of their core. [player_tooltip player_id='1812061' first='Tommy' last='Clark'] had an excellent summer on the grassroots circuit with All Heart and [program_tooltip program_id='2076317' first='Midwest' last='Basketball Club 3SSB'] and will be joined in the backcourt by [player_tooltip player_id='1222364' first='Talan' last='Noyes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2025118' first='Myles' last='Baker']. If Kings can compete defensively, they will have a chance against any team from the greater Cincinnati area this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cincinnati Elder</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The GCL-South hasn't been as dominant come playoff time in the past two years with Elder being the only district champion in that span. Again Elder will have size with [player_tooltip player_id='1718498' first='Tyler' last='Johnson'] as the new man in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='1462535' first='Cam' last='Williams'] will get the keys to the offense as a Junior and could be a breakout star in the GCL this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cincinnati Fairfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The GMC might be the best conference in Ohio top to bottom with the amount of depth in terms of player talent, program history and coaching talent in the conference. The question I have about the league is, who will end up winning the league? I think Fairfield is probably the preseason favorite with a strong 2025 core headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='1432021' first='Kameron' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432056' first='Gabe' last='Clemmons'], but I could see a handful of teams attempting to take the crown off Fairfield's head this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakota East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a .500 conference record last season, I think Lakota East is a team that could surprise some people in 2023-24. [player_tooltip player_id='1285295' first='Trey' last='Perry'] is the exact type of player that Clint Adkins wants leading his team and the rest of their upperclassmen are gritty and do whatever it takes to win. [player_tooltip player_id='2023894' first='Ty' last='Smyers'], Tyler Bachman and [player_tooltip player_id='1421142' first='Derek' last='Jackson'] are a tough trio of seniors that have experience in the Thunderhawks system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Huber Heights Wayne</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wayne train keeps chugging along thanks to great guard play and despite Lawrent Rice graduating, they bring back [player_tooltip player_id='1285297' first='Juan' last='Cranford Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617825' first='Boots' last='Perkins'] to lead the offense. Combine that with some impressive athletes to defend and make complimentary offensive plays and I think Wayne will stay competitive in the GWOC this season as they try and knock Centerville off the mountaintop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->