OHSAA Division III Watchlist Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA basketball season is just a few weeks from tipping off and Prep Hoops Ohio is previewing each Division with a top 10 list as well as a watchlist of teams to keep an eye on heading into the 2025-26 high school basketball season. In this article we'll take a look at four Division III teams who missed our preseason top 10 but are still on our radar heading into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Miami Trace</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going unbeaten in the regular season last year before falling to Steubenville in the convo was an impressive year for Panther basketball. With a majority of the team able to return, we'll see if Clemson football commit Adam Guthrie plays this winter for Miami Trace on the hardwood. The Panthers football season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion against conference rival Jackson last Friday night and a lot of their top basketball talent were key contributors on the gridiron this fall. Expect Miami Trace to be a powerhouse once again in the FAC and southeast district with a showdown against top Division IV squad Meigs to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mansfield Senior</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite districts in the state involved Mansfield Senior last year as they were paired up with Lexington and Sandusky in what was a track meet style district semifinals and finals. Star 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2353996' first='Kaylen' last='Brooks'] is back for the Tygers who open the season against Division V powerhouse Columbus Academy on December 2nd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Steubenville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team that handed Miami Trace their only loss of the season last year, the Big Red are back at it with 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2379747' first='Santino' last='Haney'] leading the charge. Haney is one of the top leaders at the point guard position in the state with the willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Basketball is still an afterthought for Haney right now as he's helping lead the Big Red in their 25th consecutive playoff appearance this fall. A showdown at unbeaten Licking Valley awaits Haney and the rest of the Big Red this Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Walnut Ridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more talented city league teams in the state, the Scots have a talented backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='2139998' first='Deon' last='Johnson'] and Maurice Hamrick Jr leading the way. Multi-sport athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1984820' first='Marquis' last='Lucas'] is one of the more versatile athletes in the state. Walnut Ridge will be tested against two of Cincinnati's best city league teams in Aiken and Taft, as well as a battle against defending OHSAA Division I state champion Olentangy Orange this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->