OHSAA Preseason DI Watchlist: NE
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We’re breaking down the top candidates in each Division with a region by region look at Division I before we release our top 10 teams. In this article we’ll take a look at some northeast Ohio teams that just missed…
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Continue ReadingWe’re breaking down the top candidates in each Division with a region by region look at Division I before we release our top 10 teams. In this article we’ll take a look at some northeast Ohio teams that just missed our top 10, but we’ll be keeping our eye on them all season long.
Saint Edward
Usually the Eagles would find themselves in the top 10 and maybe I’ll look foolish having them just missing out top 10 by the end of the season. Once again the Eagles have a lot of upperclassmen talent who either have experience or have waited their turn to shine at the varsity level. Eric Flannery has shown he can win regardless of the talent level of his team and despite not having any top recruits on the current roster, the Eagles are always a tough playoff out.
Akron STVM
Another historic program that’s in maybe a rebuilding year, but a rebuilding year for the Irish is still one of the top teams in northeast Ohio. With a strong 2025 class, I’d expect the Irish to be a better team by the end of the season and they could be scary next year. With John Whorton John Whorton 6'8" | C STVM | 2025 State OH as a breakout candidate next to transfer guard Noah Chambers, there’s still enough talent for Dru Joyce II to work with this year.
Brunswick
With a pair of Division II commits in Quinn Barnett Quinn Barnett 6'2" | SG Brunswick | 2024 State OH and Tommy Morgan Tommy Morgan 6'5" | SF Brunswick | 2024 State OH , Brunswick has senior talent to surround one of the top underclassmen guards in the state in Trey Drexler Trey Drexler 5'10" | PG Brunswick | 2026 State OH . Always one of the top shooting teams in the area, when Brunswick is hitting shots, they are tough to beat.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights
Luke Skaljac Luke Skaljac 6'2" | PG Brecksville-Broadview Hts | 2024 State #162 Nation OH will get all the headlines as a Mr Basketball candidate, but this team will only go as far as their supporting cast, led by Brady Ganley Brady Ganley 6'2" | SG Brecksville-Broadview Heights | 2025 State OH and transfer Junior Kambomba Junior Kambomba 6'3" | SF Brecksville-Broadview Heights | 2024 State OH take them. After a heartbreaking playoff loss last season, the Bees will once again be one of the top teams in northeast Ohio and hungry to go further than last year.
Louisville
A team just a few students from being in Division II, Louisville is taking the challenge of Division I to heart and scheduling some tough opponents to prepare them for the playoff grind. While they lost Will Aljancic to graduation, Hayden Nigro Hayden Nigro 6'4" | SG Louisville | 2024 State OH is back as a senior alongside 2025 duo Beau Siegfried Beau Siegfried 6'0" | PG Louisville | 2025 State OH and Brayden Gross Brayden Gross 6'7" | PF Louisville | 2025 State OH . Can the Leopards shake up the district playoffs this season? Time will tell.