OHSAA Division II Preseason Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're breaking down each Division with our preseason predictions for who we think will be the best teams. In this article we'll break down our top five teams in Division II.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Lutheran West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming so close to a state championship last season, Lutheran West returns a majority of their core from last season. Star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1477054' first='Jayson' last='Levis'] is back alongside the Meyer twins at the forward positions. [player_tooltip player_id='1068249' first='Dylan' last='Bartchak'] can light it up from the outside as well. They lost [player_tooltip player_id='1691983' first='Junior' last='Kambomba'] to transfer but bring in [player_tooltip player_id='1889826' first='Tino' last='Yli-Junnila'] to replace him on the wing. We'll see if this team has what it takes to get back to Dayton and win that final game that eluded them last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Kettering Alter</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1432016' first='Rj' last='Greer'] is the headliner as he comes from Springboro as one of the top players in the state. He's joined by prime breakout candidate [player_tooltip player_id='2028558' first='Brady' last='Conner'] and bigs [player_tooltip player_id='1432055' first='Charlie' last='Uhl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1497738' first='Matt' last='Lunne']. Alter have all the pieces to become the latest GCL-Co Ed Team to make the Division II final four after Chaminade Julienne made it in 2021 and 2023 while Alter made it in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Akron Buchtel</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champs have a new look squad with star [player_tooltip player_id='1359617' first='Zevin' last='Gadson'] returning to the Grifs. When I caught them at Midwest Live they had some new faces and some younger talent that was athletic and hungry to get after it. [player_tooltip player_id='2047489' first='Steven' last='Diamond'] and Dj Pride could see big roles this season and Buchtel always has some prospects emerge throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Shelby</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top small-town programs over the past five or so years in Ohio, Shelby once again has a talented team. It all starts with the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1225066' first='Alex' last='Bruskotter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1421138' first='Casey' last='Lantz']. Combine that with some seniors that can make shots and defend and this is a team that should contend for a final four berth this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Trotwood Madison</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the historic programs in the Dayton area, Trotwood Madison is reloaded under legendary head coach Pete Pullen. The Rams have football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1068238' first='Timothy' last='Carpenter'] and got senior [player_tooltip player_id='1068237' first='Delamarr' last='Blanton'] to transfer back this season as well. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1881403' first='Je'Carious' last='Reaves'] will also provide a boost coming from Meadowdale. The Rams also have a lot of size in the paint, this will be one of the most talented teams in Division II this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->