OHSAA Division I Playoff Preview: Region 4 (SW)
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We’re going through the OHSAA playoffs by taking a region by region look at who the projected top teams are and who could shake the bracket up. In this article we’ll be starting Division I with the first region to…
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Continue ReadingWe’re going through the OHSAA playoffs by taking a region by region look at who the projected top teams are and who could shake the bracket up. In this article we’ll be starting Division I with the first region to tip off, southwest.
The Favorite
Archbishop Moeller: A team that didn’t have the preseason hype of some other teams around the state, Moeller has handled their business and finished off a 21-1 regular season that included numerous difficult games. Eric Mahaffey Eric Mahaffey 6'4" | SF Moeller | 2024 State OH has blossomed into a star, Aj McBride has slowly gotten his feet under him after recovering from a summer injury. Noah George Noah George 6'5" | C Moeller | 2024 State OH and Kyle Havens Kyle Havens 6'1" | PG Moeller | 2024 State OH play big roles as experienced seniors. Alex Kazanecki Alex Kazanecki 6'5" | SF Archbishop Moeller | 2025 State OH provides a scoring punch, Kingston Land Kingston Land 6'9" | PF Moeller | 2025 State #209 Nation OH is their interior presence. This team is deep, experienced, have winning pedigree, they are the clear favorite in this region. Their lone loss comes to potential regional opponent, Centerville.
Contenders
Cincinnati St Xavier: Their Junior duo of Jacob Wassler Jacob Wassler 6'10" | C St Xavier | 2025 State OH and Donovan Waleskowki scored 22 of their 39 points in their win over Elder to split the season series. The Bombers have a tough sectional draw with either conference rival La Salle or Lakota East in their first playoff game. Then they’d likely see Hamilton or Fairfield to try and advance to a district title.
Centerville: A team that has been up and down all season, the Elks are the lone team to beat Moeller all season. With seniors like Jonathan Powell Jonathan Powell 6'5" | SG Centerville | 2024 State #164 Nation OH and Baboucarr Njie Baboucarr Njie 6'5" | PF Centerville | 2024 State OH plus the Greenberg twins, this team has enough talent to make a run. Their inconsistency makes it hard to trust them right now though.
Cincinnati Elder: They were unbeaten in Ohio for a majority of the season, but late season losses to Moeller (Twice) and St Xavier has slowed their momentum heading into tournament play. They’ll need junior guard Cam Williams Cam Williams 6'2" | CG Elder | 2025 State OH to be at his best to win a district title.
Sleepers
Oak Hills: A team that’s disciplined and playing hot at the right time, Nate Riep, Bobby Stidham Bobby Stidham 6'6" | C Oak Hills | 2024 State OH and company could shake things up with a potential battle against CMAC champion Cincinnati Aiken in the second round.
Middletown: In a district with Winton Woods and Centerville in it, Middletown has a tough group to make it out of, but with juniors Jeremiah Landers Jeremiah Landers 6'1" | CG Middletown | 2025 State OH and Chandler Shields Chandler Shields 6'3" | SG Middletown | 2025 State OH leading the charge as Juniors, this could be the year for the Middies to compete. Senior Isaac Stamper Isaac Stamper 6'8" | C Middletown | 2024 State OH provides physicality in the paint as well, going to be necessary if they meet up with Tyler McKinley Tyler McKinley 6'9" | PF Winton Woods | 2024 State #78 Nation OH and Winton Woods in the playoffs.
Springboro: I’m very intrigued by the potential Beavercreek Vs Springboro playoff game, for a spot in a district final. These teams split for second place in the conference despite Beavercreek taking both regular season meetings. Andrew Hoerner Andrew Hoerner 6'7" | C Miamisburg | 2025 OH led the GWOC in scoring this season.