OHSAA DII Watchlist Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're previewing each of the divisions in the OHSAA to give our readers an expectation on which teams have the best chance to make a deep playoff run. We already have broken down our top 10 teams in Division II and this will be our first watchlist of teams that just missed the cut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Akron East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akron East had a great season last year and graduate both of their all-state members in Mike Woodall and La'Grand Sowell but I think they'll still be a tough team to battle in 2023-24. 2025 prospects De'Arion Holley and Kardiay Tyler will be key pieces this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Youngstown Ursuline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team that's been on the cusp of a deep playoff run the past few seasons, this might be the year that they get over the hump. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1395690' first='Jaden' last='Payne'] is a mismatch in the paint and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2144204' first='Jaylen' last='Gunther'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1761782' first='Jace' last='Riccardo'] are ready to contribute right now to winning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Name</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 20 win season, Holy Name is set for another big season. [player_tooltip player_id='1875366' first='Maxwell' last='Bollin'] is their star wing who is set to take command of the team as a Junior with a full season to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hawken</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bit of a sleeper pick here, Hawken might be a year early on this list with [player_tooltip player_id='1705959' first='Daron' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2113257' first='Gregory' last='Price'] getting set for big Sophomore seasons. They once again play a tough schedule and are a team to keep an eye on come playoff time when they get more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gilmour Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the winningest Division II programs over the past two seasons, the Lancers graduated some key pieces but after deep playoff runs they have earned the respect to be a team to watch despite looking at who left for the college level from last year's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->