OHSAA Division IV Preseason 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA basketball season is less than a month away and we're breaking down the top teams in each division. In this article we're taking a look at the top five teams in Division IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Cincinnati Wyoming</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's state title or bust for the Cowboys with a core four of seniors with [player_tooltip player_id='1888254' first='Kellen' last='Wiley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1925832' first='Darren' last='Gray'], [player_tooltip player_id='2366691' first='Devin' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2366692' first='Carlyle' last='Billingsley'] leading the way. This group has played so much basketball together and have the big game experience to go all the way this season. It won't be easy but if I had to bet on anybody today, I'd go with Cincinnati Wyoming in Division IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Zanesville Maysville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It might not be popular to have Maysville at number two after they won the state title and return their starting five and I understand that. Obviously, the Panthers have a great chance to win back-to-back state titles with the same core. [player_tooltip player_id='2386466' first='Gator' last='Nichols'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2386467' first='Jordyn' last='Watson'] draw the headlines but the biggest difference for the Panthers from 2023-24 to 2024-25 was the added depth and confidence of their role players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Warrensville Heights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers had an excellent season last year and were contenders to win the northeast regional. Despite falling short, I have them as slight favorites on paper heading into this season with a handful of key returners, a transfer from Lutheran East in [player_tooltip player_id='2125746' first='Jayden' last='Nellemsbey'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2856685' first='Qwayland' last='Howard'] looking to take that next step. When you combine those factors, I think Warrensville Heights will be one of the top teams in northeast Ohio regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Canfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe a surprise name on this list but I've been impressed with the toughness and consistency Canfield has shown over the past few years and with transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1761782' first='Jace' last='Riccardo'] in the mix, that gives them some offensive star power. Canfield actually took down Warrensville Heights two years ago in the old four Division format in a regional semifinal and I wouldn't be stunned if those two schools met again in the regionals this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Cleveland Glenville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state runners-up, Glenville still has a lot of firepower to try and make another run to UD Arena. While a talented senior class led by Xavier Vickerstaff graduates, the Tarblooders still have a nice senior core to build on this season as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1845820' first='Theo' last='Castro'] is a key guard for the Tarblooders and [player_tooltip player_id='2719896' first='Arvell' last='Nelson'] is another talented senior to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->