OHSAA DII Watchlist Part 2
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We’ve been breaking down the top teams in each Division to get our readers prepared for the upcoming OHSAA season. We’ve already broken down the top 10 teams in our preseason Division II rankings and northeast Ohio teams on our…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve been breaking down the top teams in each Division to get our readers prepared for the upcoming OHSAA season. We’ve already broken down the top 10 teams in our preseason Division II rankings and northeast Ohio teams on our watchlist, in this article we’ll look at northwest and southwest teams that just missed our preseason top 10 that we’ll be keeping our eyes on.
Lexington
After an impressive season last year, Lexington returns two of their three key pieces and should once again be one of the toughest teams in the northwest regional. Brayden Fogle Brayden Fogle 6'5" | SF Lexington | 2026 State OH is a match-up nightmare with his strength and skill plus Elijah Hudson Elijah Hudson 6'8" | PF Lexington | 2024 State OH has taken some big steps this summer. Losing Baden Forup to graduation is a big blow but I expect the Minutemen to once again win a lot of games this winter.
Mansfield
A nearby rival of Lexington, Mansfield plays a frantic style of play that can turn over teams that don’t take care of the basketball. They played a tough schedule last season and lost in a thriller against Sandusky, who made the move up to Division I.
Dayton Chaminade Julienne
A final four participant last season, Cj loses all three of the Washington brothers (one to graduation and two to transfer out of state) but return some solid pieces. Cal Weatherspoon Cal Weatherspoon 5'10" | PG Chaminade Julienne | 2024 State OH and Devin Rakestraw Devin Rakestraw 6'6" | PF Chaminade Julienne | 2024 State OH are seniors who are tough and Junior David Cartwright David Cartwright 6'3" | SG Chaminade Julienne | 2025 State OH is a breakout candidate.
Cincinnati Woodward
Ru Mills Ru Mills 6'2" | SF Cincinnati Woodward | 2024 State OH was one of the top players in the greater Cincinnati area last season and is set for an even bigger 2023-24 season. While Woodward graduated some talented seniors from last season, Donte Ferrell Donte Ferrell 6'4" | SF Cincinnati Woodward | 2024 OH averaged 11 PPG as a Junior and will be a nice sidekick to Mills.
Cincinnati Taft
One of the most talented teams in southwest Ohio last season, Taft lost a couple key seniors to graduation and had Kieran Granville-Britten Kieran Granville-Britten 6'7" | C Princeton | 2025 State OH transfer to Princeton plus DeShaun Jackson to Newport. Taft reloads with Jordyn Buchanan Jordyn Buchanan 6'5" | SF Cincinnati Taft | 2024 State OH moving in from Florida. Taft went unbeaten in the CMAC last season and will look to keep their spot atop the league.