OHSAA Division V Preseason Rankings: Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to preview the OHSAA basketball season with the regular season being about a month away. In this article we'll take a look at seven teams that didn't quite make our top 10 for Division V but we'll be keeping a close eye on these teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Benton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Benton has been a very consistent winner in northwest Ohio, and with a senior like [player_tooltip player_id='2610977' first='Jake' last='Gerken'], I expect big things once again this winter. They just missed our top 10 but with a tough non-conference schedule, they could find their way into our top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Ready</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One season removed from making it to Dayton for the final four after an unbeaten regular season, Bishop Ready looks to get back at the top of central Ohio's playoff bracket. With [player_tooltip player_id='1954721' first='Kayden' last='Schaffer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2125756' first='Michael' last='Daniels'] and company returning, I think the Silver Knights will be a tough out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canton Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team with size that can control the paint is tough to beat and CCC has that with Luke Vlascovy and [player_tooltip player_id='2300366' first='Will' last='Minor']. After winning 18 games last year, Canton Central Catholic could crack the 20 win mark if things click early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St Clairsville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East district is very strong in Division V and you'll see multiple teams from that region in this watchlist article. I think St Clairsville might be the best of those teams with [player_tooltip player_id='2109839' first='Griffin' last='Straub'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1952003' first='Tyson' last='Pastor'] leading the Red Devils charge. I could see them winning a district and making a playoff push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Martins Ferry</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1952004' first='Alex' last='Reese'] is a multi-sport stud who has helped Martins Ferry establish itself as an eastern Ohio power over the past few years. We'll see if they can avenge some tough playoff losses this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Garaway</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not sure the Pirates have the same star power they've had over the past few seasons, but I've learned to never count them out come playoff time. Typically teams that win in multiple sports with the same kids find a way when the going gets tough. Blaine Raber is a returning all state performer for Garaway this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wheelersburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southeast Ohio has an interesting landscape in Division V with a few teams who could emerge as district title threats. I would put Wheelersburg near the top of that list with 2026 duo [player_tooltip player_id='2350192' first='Braylon' last='Rucker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2294840' first='Landon' last='McGraw']. These Pirates are also a tough out come playoff team year in and year out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->