Shane’s Preseason Top 7 Central Ohio Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season tips off this week and it is my time to come out with my preseason rankings of the top 7 teams in the Central Ohio area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Delaware Hayes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2278152,"width":"365px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Jesse-Burris-LMS.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Jesse-Burris-LMS.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2278152" style="width:365px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is a team with a high ceiling and a high floor. They already had a very good team with the 10th-best senior in the state, according to PrepHoops Ohio, but they have added the 9th-best junior in the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1222373' first='Jesse' last='Burris'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1432060' first='Landon' last='Vanderwalker'] are the top duo in Central Ohio and possibly the state. They both play different positions but have similar games. Ohio commits Burris is more of a guard that has great touch in the midrange. He is a midrange assassin who just gets to his spots and makes you pay. He will give you 20 points no matter what. Vanderwalker is very similar because his game is equally as tough to stop. He is a 6'7 forward with a big strong frame. He is an explosive athlete who can play inside and out. He is a really good finisher around the rim. This duo will be tough to match up with for anyone. They also have other role players that will be important for this team to take them to the next level like Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1675738' first='Jake' last='Lowman'], Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1675747' first='Carter' last='Piatt-Brown'], and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1832084' first='Chase' last='Griggs'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Hilliard Bradley </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1773336,"width":"395px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Cade-Norris-Bradley.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Cade-Norris-Bradley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1773336" style="width:395px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradley has a ton of offseason hype coming into this season with good reason. They have a TON of talent. This is headlined by senior guard and Illonis State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1222352' first='Cade' last='Norris']. Norris is a senior leader that you want if you want your team to go far. He plays the game the right way. He has a high IQ and great communicator. This will be huge when Bradley goes to the places they want. Alongside other Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1225069' first='Jeb' last='Bischoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='1738516' first='Ian' last='Abrass'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2042518' first='Duncan' last='Spalding']. Bischoff is a bucket getter. This a senior-led team with great coaching, a recipe for success. Other really good role players like Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2029026' first='Garrett' last='Sever'] and Sophomores Gavin Lighting and [player_tooltip player_id='2058611' first='Jordan' last='Reed-Davis']. This shows their great depth. Then they have a high-level freshman coming in with [player_tooltip player_id='2140168' first='Ben' last='Mirgon']. This kid has a chance to be special. He has an IQ beyond his years and can be a big-time player for this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Reynoldsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1822476,"width":"395px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Jordan-Fisher-Burg.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Jordan-Fisher-Burg.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1822476" style="width:395px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reynoldsburg is another team in Central Ohio benefitting from a ton of talent. Their trio of Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1432017' first='Jordan' last='Fisher'] and Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1705958' first='Jorden' last='Bowens'] and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1705956' first='Xavier' last='McKinney']. This three-headed monster is going to be a lot to deal with and match up with. McKinney is the 6'1 guard with a ton of potential. He is a long guard with good athletic ability that will have a bigger role in his new school. Fellow sophomore Bowens is coming off a great freshman year. He is a fearless high-flying forward who is consistent. He does a lot of dirty work too and a monster on the boards. The head of the snake is the very talented Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1432017' first='Jordan' last='Fisher']. He is a long wing that can core in bushes from all three levels. These three have Reynoldsburg locked and loaded to go for a good season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Pickerington North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2282381,"width":"405px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Arness-Lawson-LMS.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Arness-Lawson-LMS.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2282381" style="width:405px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick North has the team ready to go for a long run this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1432005' first='Arness' last='Lawson'] is entering his third year as a varsity player. He is going to take Pick North as far as he can. He is getting more athletic and skilled but seems to be understanding his role as the controller of this team. This will be vital for the Panthers' success this year. He will be with a snipper and high-energy player [player_tooltip player_id='1708690' first='JR' last='Bates'] going into his sophomore year. Bates will be getting real minutes this year after just being an energy player off the bench. [player_tooltip player_id='2047488' first='Favor' last='McFadden'] has impressed scouts this preseason so far with his athleticism and effort. He is the type of player Coach Jason Bates gets the best out of. I expect him and the other role players to have good years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Northland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1822470,"width":"401px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/King-Kendrick-Northland.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/King-Kendrick-Northland.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1822470" style="width:401px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northland is coming off an impressive season last year with phenom and now sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1571119' first='King' last='Kendrick'] running the show. This kid is flat-out incredible. He has gone viral for shooting the ball with both hands but he does more than just that. He led Northland to City League Championship last year and they look to repeat the same this year. Kendrick will be coming into this season improved and with more confidence. They have also added 6'7 Junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1503915' first='Nehemiah' last='McMorris']. This kid is an athletic freak. He is tall, long, and strong which leads him to being a mismatch in the City league this year. I expect the Vikings to have another big year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Westerville North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1773330,"width":"398px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/micha-young-Wnorth.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/micha-young-Wnorth.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1773330" style="width:398px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors come into this season with great guard talent and a hot year last year. Their Junior duo of guards [player_tooltip player_id='1480850' first='Tai' last='Perkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432010' first='Micah' last='Young'] will be big-time players this year for them. They both bring different tools to the table for them. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1222361' first='Na'Varion' last='Adams'] and Elon Robinson will be players this team leans on for experience and leadership. Adams is a high-flying and athletic freak who can do it all and match up with anyone. This will play a vital role for the Warriors to have a big year. The big question mark is who will be the scorer for this team but with their talent, I do not think it will be one player but multiple.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Walnut Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667207,"width":"413px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Dom-Aikens-WR-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Dom-Aikens-WR-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1667207" style="width:413px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walnut Ridge will be the other team in the Columbus City League that will be a force. With Senior guard Dom Aikens running the show, this makes WR a showtime team. Aikens is an electric player that can go off on any team at any moment. He is a lightning-quick guard with great athleticism and confidence. Then he will be teamed up with the real deal incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2139998' first='Deon' last='Johnson'] at the other guard/wing position. This kid is a bucket-getter. He can score it from all three levels with ease and has that dog mentality to him. These two will be tough to stop because they have the potential to give you 40 on any given night. The Scots will be a fun team to watch this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical Order): Bishop Hartley, Harvest Prep, Newark, Olentangy Orange, Pickerington Central, and Upper Arlington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->