Southeast District Preview: Divisions II, III, and IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Southeast District is one of the smaller districts in Ohio and pits 5 different brackets between the 3 divisions. This year has some seriously talented teams competing for the right to make a run to UD Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Teams: Washington Court House (1), Fairfield Union (2), Miami Trace (3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: Warren Local- The Warriors enter the tournament as the 8-seed, but have won 7 of their last 9 entering the tournament. While some of the top talent are underclassmen, the Warriors have won 16 games on the year and have the pieces to challenge Washington CH and others early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluation: Washington Court House enters the top sectional as the #1 seed, but I have concerns with them winning some close games throughout the season. This likely opens the door for Warren Local to possibly sneak up in the early rounds of the Sectional. New Lexington is the next highest favorite behind their senior combo of <strong>Lukas Ratliff</strong> and <strong>Ryan Hobbs</strong> that has went 18-4 on the season. The Panthers have had success throughout the season and had not lost in the new year until West Muskingum beat them last night. The bottom sectional is dominated by Fairfield Union and Miami Trace. The Falcons have been great throughout the year and have an upperclassmen led team behind <strong>Ted Harrah</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Caleb Schmelzer</strong> (Jr). The Panthers of Miami Trace have been a surprise team this year and have won plenty of games in convincing fashion. Gallia Academy is another team worth watching as they could be a sleeper team. Of their 6 current losses, 5 have been by single digits. In addition, the Blue Devils have some size and upperclassmen, and have shown success with wins or close losses against Washington Court House and Fairfield Union.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predicted Final: Fairfield Union vs New Lexington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division III</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Southeast 1</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Teams: Minford (1), North Adams (4), Lucasville Valley (5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: Northwest- The Mohawks don't jump off of the page with an overly impressive record, but they have familiarity with Minford who they've played twice this year. While Minford has gotten the better of them, we see upsets with these 3rd matchups. Northwest has a nice junior duo in <strong>Connor Lintz</strong> and <strong>Tanner Bolin</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluation: Minford enters the bracket for the 2nd straight year as the #1 seed. Winners of 12 straight games, the Falcons will have some familiarity seeing teams like Portsmouth West and Northwest for possibly the 3rd times. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432013' first='Myles' last='Montgomery']</strong> (So) is one of the better players in the bracket and Minford should be the favorite to reach the District Finals this year. The bottom sectional consists of likely North Adams or Lucasville Valley. North Adams has been consistent throughout the year behind the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1068243' first='Bransyn' last='Copas']</strong> (Jr) in their backcourt. Lucasville Valley has excelled in their first year in Division III and been competitive throughout the year. All 6 of their losses have been by single digits with 2 losses to Minford already. A matchup with the Falcons for a District Final would be tough for Minford to win a 3rd time. North Adams has also seen Minford and lost earlier in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predicted Final: Lucasville Valley vs Minford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Southeast 2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Teams: South Point (2), Zane Trace (3), Wheelersburg (6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: Fairland- The Dragons are a consistent favorite during the postseason and this year's team has plenty of talent on the roster. Wins over Gallia Academy, Warren Local, and Lucas have shown this team can beat some talented teams. Players like <strong>J.D. Thacker</strong> (Sr), <strong>Will Davis</strong> (Jr), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1428200' first='Brody' last='Buchanan']</strong> (So) will be leaned on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluation: South Point has been the best team in the top sectional, winning their last 12 games. However they potentially have to get through Fairland for a 3rd meeting. The Pointers are led by <strong>Caleb Schneider</strong> (Jr). The bottom bracket appears to be either Zane Trace or WHeelersburg. Zane Trace has been one of the better teams in Southeast Ohio and has been winning by a large margin as of late. Wheelersburg is always a competitive team in Southeast Ohio and should not be overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predicted Final: Zane Trace vs Fairland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division IV</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Southeast 2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Teams: Fairfield (1), Paint Valley (4), Green (5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: Western- Even though the Indians lost to Fairfield 72-26 early in the year, they will likely have a shot at dethroning the Lions who will be undefeated entering their potential matchup. Western has won 4 straight games and 8 of their last 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluation: Fairfield enters the tournament undefeated and are the overwhelming favorites to come out of their bracket. Paint Valley has been on a roll so far this year and also has some familiarity with Fairfield should the teams meet in a potential final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predicted Final: Fairfield vs Paint Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Southeast 1</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Teams: Federal Hocking (2), South Webster (3), Notre Dame (6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: Beaver Eastern- The Eagles have been competitive throughout the year and been in games with Division III programs during conference play. If there is a team that could sneak up on Federal Hocking, it's them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluation: Federal Hocking is the favorite in the top sectional as they are led by a solid junior class and been dominant throughout the season. South Webster and Notre Dame met earlier in the year, with a 39-36 win going to South Webster. While the Jeeps have some younger talent, Notre Dame has lost just once in 2023 to South Webster and could turn some heads in a potential rematch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predicted Final: Federal Hocking vs Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->