OHSAA Division VI Preseason 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA basketball season is about a month away and we're previewing all seven Division's with a top 10 teams list as well as a watchlist for teams that just missed our top 10. We expect these teams to compete for the state title this winter but there's a long way to go from now and then. Keep up with Prep Hoops for all the OHSAA basketball coverage you'll need from this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Tri Village</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most successful small town programs in Ohio, Tri Village has consistently competed for regional and state championships. With senior [player_tooltip player_id='1729405' first='Trey' last='Sagester'] getting one last run with his dad on the sidelines, it's go time for the Patriots. With the adequate size and skill around Sagester, I expect Tri Village to be a tough out all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Andrews Osborne Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team could sneak up on some people with a nice depth of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='2926230' first='Jackson' last='Burge'] is a quality point guard who also has his dad on the sidelines guiding the team. 2029 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2963352' first='Bob' last='Da Silva'] is one of the most talented wings in the country from that grade and the rest of the team has the necessary athleticism and talent to give teams fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Colonel Crawford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another program that just flat out wins, I'm a huge fan of the culture at Colonel Crawford. With stud 2026 guard-forward duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1943739' first='Brayden' last='Holt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2800788' first='Payne' last='DeGray'] back, I think Colonel Crawford has the pieces to repeat as regional champions this season. It will be a tough road to get past teams like Lima Central Catholic, Maumee Valley Country Day and more who they ran up against last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Berlin Hiland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year it seems like people underrate Berlin Hiland in the preseason and all the sudden they pop up in a state semifinal or championship game. I refuse to do that this season after picking the Hawks to correctly lose to Monroe Central last year. With [player_tooltip player_id='2761876' first='Alex' last='Miller'] back and the toughness you'll get from every player who puts on a Hawks uniform, I think they are again the team to beat in the east district from Division VI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Lima Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite losing some 2028 studs to nearby rival Lima Sr, I still expect the T-Birds to be one of the top Division VI teams in the state. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1888255' first='Jordan' last='Priddy'] is virtually unstoppable at this level as his combination of shot-making, ball handling and strength is an excellent combination of skills. Expect Priddy to put the offense on his back a few times this season and with strong athletes around him, I expect Lima Central Catholic to be strong defensively as well. Don't sleep on LCC despite some key losses from last year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->