OHSAA Division III Preseason Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're previewing each OHSAA Division and discussing the teams we expect to have a chance to make it to Dayton when it's all said and done. In this article we'll take a look at the top five teams in our preseason rankings for Division III.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Lutheran East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champs stay at number one with a strong senior core returning. [player_tooltip player_id='1222354' first='Jesse' last='McCulloch'] is the headliner as the Michigan State commit will be commanding the middle after the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='1705953' first='Tj' last='Crumble'] to Richmond Heights. McCulloch is joined by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1421137' first='Ronald' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1480840' first='Chauncey' last='Brashers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1955296' first='Anthony' last='Bruce'], who will all play key roles. Look for some younger pieces to make names for themselves including [player_tooltip player_id='1932740' first='Alex' last='McCulloch'] and potentially a few freshman getting varsity minutes as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Ottawa Glandorf</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1222349' first='Colin' last='White'] has helped lead the Titans to the final four all three years of his high school career but still hasn't lifted the state championship trophy. We'll see if he can get over the hump as a senior with another strong roster around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1860081' first='Caden' last='Erford'] is one of the top shooters in northwest Ohio and Ottawa Glandorf will always be tough defensively and take care of the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Miami East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1068245' first='Wes' last='Enis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1068246' first='Jacob' last='Roeth'] have won a ton of games together and return for one final ride together. Miami East had a strong season last year with their only regular season losses coming to Division I power Westerville North and conference rival Troy Christian. I expect a potential rematch in the regional stage of the tournament with Preble Shawnee again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Preble Shawnee</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team that knocked out Miami East last season, it was neck and neck on who would be three and who would be fourth on this list. Star [player_tooltip player_id='1067753' first='Mason' last='Shrout'] is signing with IPFW during the early signing period and big man [player_tooltip player_id='1489746' first='Logan' last='Hawley'] provides nice size in the paint. This team fell one game short of a final four appearance in Dayton and will likely have to beat Miami East again to make it to the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Columbus Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a strong 2022-23 season that saw them break into our top 10 at points, Columbus Academy starts in the top five this season. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2213494' first='Anderson' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2082034' first='Theo' last='Falkenhain'] are maturing and ready to break out as Juniors. When you add underclassmen talent to this duo and you have one of the top Division III teams on paper heading into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->